EThekwini VIP Unit insourcing a first step to scrapping this wasteful expenditure

15 November 2015

The Democratic Alliance in EThekwini welcomes the Metro’s plan to establish an internal VIP protection Unit in the city, rather than outsourcing VIP protection at exorbitant cost. We have been saying all along that an in-house VIP protection unit will save the city millions of rands, but this is only an interim solution.

Ultimately, EThekwini must do the right thing and scrap VIP protection for political big-wigs altogether. Local Government representatives should be at one with the people, not creating themselves into untouchables behind big VIP protection units, high walls and blue-light cars.

Outsourcing of security has cost the Metro millions of rands, and while insourcing will save money, it is only a first step to killing this wasteful expenditure entirely.

Recently in Parliament, the DA leader, Mmusi Maimane, called for excessive VIP protection and perks to be scrapped so that money could be saved and essentials like our crippled higher education system could be funded.

Money saved from ending expensive VIP units for EThekwini politicians can be used on our dilapidated schools security and in healthcare in the city. In Cape Town where the DA governs we spend money on school resource officers who are Metro Police officers that guard and protect school learners, rather than wasting money on shielding politicians from the public

In the interim, the DA will monitor the process of employing the in-house protection unit to ensure that positions are allocated on the basis of fairness and giving people opportunities.

If this insourcing is a smokescreen to find Metro jobs for the MK veterans in the protection service Unit, the DA will reject this plan outright. ANC cadre deployment is destroying government in South Africa, and the appointment of MK veterans simply for their political affiliation is unlawful and irregular.

The DA is still awaiting a report on more than 120 MK veterans who were hired by the municipality without following proper HR procedures in March 2015. In our investigation on this cadre deployment, we were gobsmacked to find that these veterans employed by the city are actually not doing and work despite being appointed.

The DA will take both of these matters up, as local government is not an employment agency for ANC acolytes.

Citizens of EThekwini deserve a government that is transparent, accountable and uses our tax money for the best interests of all citizens, not to shield ANC politicians from the community.

Statement issued by Zwakele Mncwango, DA KZN Leader, 15 November 2015