DA rejects R70 million security bill for ANC councillors

26 October 2021

The Democratic Alliance in eThekwini is starkly opposed to the exorbitant spending by the ANC-led municipality on Councillors’ security which has cost ratepayers R70 million between July and August- a mere three months. This revelation was made yesterday by ANC Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda and equates to a staggering R280 million per year.

It is unlikely that this cost includes the excessive overtime that is being claimed and abused at Metro Police. Much of this overtime is attributed to the escorting and protecting of councillors.

Kaunda further admitted that risk assessments are not being done before security is allocated to councillors because of 'capacity issues. This effectively means that numerous councillors have been allocated expensive security details with no proven threat against them. 

 The reality is that what is often termed 'political violence' is a direct result of ANC factionalism and infighting. In essence, ratepayers are paying to protect ANC politicians from enemies within their own ranks. This is unsustainable and frankly not the public's problem. 

 While the ANC continue to prioritise the security of politicians, communities are being left to fend for themselves because Metro Police are being diverted to protect local councillors.

The DA at a national level has repeatedly called for the slashing of the VIP protection and security services budget, which currently sits at over R3 billion per year. Ordinary citizens are left defenceless in the face of hopeless policing whilst ANC politicians are ferried in blue light brigades and have their umbrellas held for them.

eThekwini's public purse cannot afford this reckless spending. The ANC must solve their own internal issues themselves and leave the rest of us out of it. Critically, risk and threat assessments must be properly conducted and the reduction of this spending must happen urgently. 

Issued by Nicole Graham, DA eThekwini Caucus Leader, 26 October 2021