Lowvelder reports that the 28 policemen who were responsible for the safety and security of Deputy President David Mabuza cost taxpayers R8.4 million over a six-month period.
The revelation came after the DA spokesperson of tourism, Manny de Freitas, asked for a breakdown of the cost to protect Mabuza during the Covid-19 lockdown. Police Minister Bheki Cele confirmed that there were 28 highly trained policemen on Mabuza’s protection detail. The R8.4 million was for meals, incidental costs and accommodation, and excluded salaries and other benefits. The funding of the protection services came out of the police budget. From 1 April until 30 September, R6.2 million was spent on accommodation (mainly hotels and luxury lodges), R900,000 on transport and more than R884,000 on “incidental” costs. To feed the 28-member squad cost taxpayers R1.4 million. Cele refused to identify the establishments used due to the security risks to Mabuza. In a statement, De Freitas said the amount was “ridiculous” to spend on one man. “Why can’t they have one or two protectors each?” asked De Freitas. In his view, the money could have been better spent on other more important and crucial services.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Buks Viljoen at The Citizen
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