Increase protection while investigating alleged hit on Madonsela

10 May 2016

The DA welcomes the commitment by the acting National Police Commissioner, Kgomotso Phahlane, to pay “serious attention” to the threats against the Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela’s life, as the DA called for earlier this week. 

However, we further call on this investigation to be accompanied by increased protection from the SAPS' VIP Protection Unit for Adv Madonsela. As one of South Africa’s most important corruption-busting institutions, the Public Protector must be able to continue to  discharge her mandate without fear or favour.

Failing substantive action by the National Commissioner and Police Minister in this regard, we will appeal to President Jacob Zuma to make these resources available as he has done for himself as traverses the country creating scandal after scandal. 

As it stands, the VIP Protection Unit has a whopping budget of more than R1 billion, constituting an above-inflation increase of 14% since the previous financial year, with numerous reports of Ministers using Protectors to help them push trollies around shopping centres, acting as glorified valets. There seems to be a political problem with making sure this unit actually is used to protect the people most in need. 

The DA will keep a sharp eye on the investigation itself and will also write to the Minister of Police to impress upon him the importance of and need for increased protection from the VIP protection unit for Adv Madonsela or any other member of state entities who has received threats on their lives for acting in the best interests of the Constitution and the Republic.  

The SAPS are constitutionally mandated to keep all South Africans safe and it is up to them to ensure all citizens and those who work tirelessly to protect our democracy are safe from harm. 

Issued by Zakhele Mbhele, DA Shadow Minister of Police, 10 May 2016