Trade unions challenging Tshwane’s fixed monthly allowance for VIP protectors

Trade unions in the City of Tshwane are challenging the municipality’s decision to implement a fixed R35,000 a month allowance for VIP protection officers.

In 2025, the City of Tshwane council passed a motion to have all VIP protection officers in its metro police department paid a monthly allowance in lieu of overtime.

ALSO READ: VIP protection officers in Tshwane might get fixed monthly allowances of R35k

VIP protection officers are tasked with protecting the mayor, deputy mayor, MMC’s and other senior officials.

Due to the busy and dynamic schedules of senior office bearers, VIP protection officers usually have to claim more than the 40-hour monthly cap on overtime.

However, this has caused issues for the city with the Auditor General.

As a way to resolve this, Tshwane’s mayoral committee introduced a R35,000 monthly allowance that will be paid to all VIP protection officers, in addition to their salaries and regardless of how many hours they work.

Lynette Burns-Coetzee, who’s the regional manager for the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU), said organised labour wasn’t properly consulted on this.

“It’s not about the money; it’s about the fact that they don’t manage the overtime for that VIP Protection Unit. There’s no special skill; it’s just people that get favouritised (sic) in being VIP protectors and the rest of TMPD [Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department] doesn’t get that opportunity.”

The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) is also against the allowances with the matter now before the local labour forum.