CoJ won’t appeal VIP security policy ruling - Vondo

The City says it has made the decision with the intention of providing transparency and clarity regarding the protocol used to approve the policy, addressing any public concern effectively.

In a statement, the Mayor’s spokesperson Chris Vondo said security measures have been approved based on specific reported threats, with a comprehensive threat risk assessment conducted by either the State Security Agency or the South African Police Service preceding any approval.

“It is important to highlight that the provision of protection for the City's Executive Leadership is not a novel concept. The current practice has been in place since the change of government in 2016.  However, the expansion of these services occurred irregularly and without a guiding policy, an inconsistency that the newly approved policy seeks to rectify.”

He said the policy, which has been endorsed by the Council, aims to regularise and standardise the provision of protection services in alignment with applicable legislation and regulations.

“It specifies that protection services will be provided on an ad-hoc basis, contingent upon a threat risk assessment carried out by the State Security Agency or the South African Police Services.”

Vondo says the City noted the “misinformation” that alleges that the Executive Mayor and Council Speaker have eight and six bodyguards respectively and six convoy vehicles.

“This deliberate misinformation seeks to present the current leadership as insensitive and flamboyant which is not the case. This policy is crucial in ensuring that we have a structured approach to providing necessary protection to our Councillors when dictated by risk assessments. It establishes a framework that the City can rely upon to respond appropriately to potential threats.”

Meanwhile, public safety MMC Mgcini Tshwaku said the issue was being politicised, adding that he would avail himself to comment on it from Sunday. 

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