Nokukhanya Mntambo10 October 2024 | 6:56

Govt urged to rework remuneration model as overtime costs for ministers' bodyguards goes over R300m

Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu has revealed that the South African Police Service has paid R360 million to keep the country’s politicians safe since 2022.

Govt urged to rework remuneration model as overtime costs for ministers' bodyguards goes over R300m

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu in Hanover Park, Cape Town, on 20 July 2024 addressing residents on measures to curb the rampant crime in the area and surrounds. Picture: @SAPoliceService on X

JOHANNESBURG - There's a call for government to rework its remuneration model after it emerged that overtime costs for the bodyguards of ministers and deputy ministers are over R300 million.

Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu revealed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) paid R360 million to keep the country’s politicians safe since 2022.

RISE Mzansi's Makashule Gana said he was worried that taxpayers were paying a high price for the police’s VIP protection unit.

"The primary role of the state and the SAPS is to keep the people of South Africa safe, therefore, resources should be used to achieve this, but seemingly, keeping politicians safe is prioritised at the expense of keeping the people safe."

He said the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) added to an already bloated Cabinet, which he expects will bring the bill up even higher.

"All close protection officers are claiming the same number of hours for overtime per month, which is 100 hours, due to the extraordinary working hours."