CoJ speaker reviewing judgment declaring city's VIP protection invalid
The policy had assigned 10 bodyguards to the mayor, eight to the speaker, and allocated security personnel to MMCs based on the perceived risks associated with their respective portfolios.
Nobuhle Mthembu. Picture: ActionSA.org.za
JOHANNESBURG - City of Joburg Council Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu says she is reviewing a court judgment that declared the city's VIP protection policy invalid.
Last week, the Johannesburg High Court ruled that the policy was unconstitutional. This comes nearly a year after the council adopted it.
The policy had assigned 10 bodyguards to the mayor, eight to the speaker, and allocated security personnel to MMCs based on the perceived risks associated with their respective portfolios.
READ: Joburg Speaker Mthembu denies claims she is among senior officials with large security detail
The high court concluded the city failed to justify adequately the need to increase the security detail for senior city officials.
“The Office of the Speaker has taken note of the Johannesburg High Court judgment handed down regarding the provision of VIP protection services within the Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality. The Office is currently studying the judgment in detail and will take the necessary steps required in due course, guided by comprehensive legal advice,” said Mthembu.
“The judgment addresses the resolution adopted by Council during a sitting on 20 March 2024, which endorsed a VIP protection policy which sought to provide the Executive Mayor with ten personal protection officers, the Speaker with eight, and various other municipal Councillors with between two and five personal protection officers,” she added.