POLITICS

1 382 personnel employed by Presidential Protection Unit - Zakhele Mbhele

DA MP says this is to guard all of 17 individuals

ANC Presidency has 81 protectors per person, compared to the 1 police officer per 628 residents in Nyanga

The DA can reveal that for the 2017/2018 financial year, the number of close protectors for current and former Presidents, Deputy Presidents and First Ladies has a ratio of 81 protectors per person.

reply to a DA Parliamentary Question shows that there are currently 1 382 personnel employed by the Presidential Protection Unit. According to a reply last year, this unit was protecting a total of 17 individuals.

These are truly astonishing numbers considering that in Nyanga in the Western Cape, the police to population ratio in 2018 is estimated at 1 police officer to every 628 residents.

Nationally, this ratio is 369 residents for every 1 police officer.

This is a blatant example of how the lives of the elite matter more to the ANC government, than ordinary citizens lives.

While current and former Heads of State and their spouses are safely protected, millions of South Africans live in constant fear of being the next victims of violent crime in our country.

It is time that this government realises that all lives have value and not just the lives of ANC cadres.

It is an indictment on the ANC government that it can spend more than R690 million on the Presidential Protection Unit, yet the South African Police Services has for years remained chronically under-resourced.

The DA is the only political party that will ensure an efficient, professional and well-resourced police service which will ensure that all South Africans, irrespective of their status in society, will feel safe in the streets and their homes.

36/1/4/1(201800209)

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION 1235

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 APRIL 2018

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 13-2018)

1235. Ms D Kohler (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

(a) What Is the total amount (i) budgeted and (ii) spent on the Presidential Protection Unit in the (aa) 2015-16, (bb) 2016-17 and (cc) 2017-18 financial years and (b) what has been its capacity in terms of personnel in each of the past three financial years?

NW1334E

REPLY:

(a)(i)(ii)

(aa) 2015/2016

Economic Classification

Budget

Expenditure

Overtime

R 71 888 000,00

R 70450113,00

Goods and Services

R150 036 000,00

R160 506 495,00

Transfer and Subsidies

R 394 000,00

R 322 319,00

Payment of Capital Assets

R 63 840 000, 00

R 61 168 590,00

Total Operational

R286158 000,00

R292 447 518,00

Salaries

-

R325 575 259,00

Total Spent

-

R618 022 777,00

(bb) 2016/2017

Economic Classification

Budget

Expenditure

Overtime

R 47 581 000,00

R 85 590 217.00

Goods and Services

R 94 596 000,00

R132 893 954.00

Transfer and Subsidies

R 430 000,00

R 351 966.00

Pa•=ent of Canftal Assets

R 25 086 000,00

R 17 741 516.00

Total Operational

R167 693 000 00

R236 577 654.00

Salaries

-

R360 567 624.00

Total Spent

-

R617 145 278.00

(cc) 2017/2018

Economic Classification

Budget

Expenditure

Overtime

R120 000 000.00

R109 804 667.00

Goods and Services

R119 342 000.00

R121 218 664.00

Transfer and Subsidies

R 450 000.00

R 444 596.00

Payment of Capital Assets

R 20 995 000.00

R 19 628 033.00

Total Operational

R260 787 000.00

R251 095 961.00

Salaries

-

R442 517 356.00

Total Spent

-

R693 613 317.00

(b)

2015/2016 = 1 162 personnel.

2016/2017 = 1 369 personnel.

2017/2018 = 1 382 personnel.

ENDS

Statement issued by Zakhele Mbhele MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, 11 July 2018