Almost R400m in overtime paid to VIP Protection Unit in past 2 years

JOHANNESBURG - Almost R400 million in overtime has been paid to members of the VIP Protection Unit to guard ministers and deputy ministers over the past two years.

This is the latest figure disclosed in the National Assembly, in a written reply by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu after Rise Mzansi quizzed the minister on the cost of keeping the top executives safe.

In the 2022/23 financial year, the total overtime cost paid by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to the VIP Protection Unit was R198 million.

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That hefty price tag dropped slightly in the following year coming down to R161 million.

In the written reply seen by EWN, Mchunu said 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.

Rise Mzansi's member of Parliament, Makashule Gana, expects this tally to come in much higher now to keep up with the bloated Cabinet of 32 ministers and 43 deputy ministers in the government.

“With more VIPs in the form of ministers and deputy ministers, it is inevitable that during the current term of office, the SAPS VIP Protection Unit overtime bill will increase sharply.”

The party has called on the police minister to work with the Department of Public Service and administration, and the National Treasury to find a remuneration model that does not revolve around overtime.