Johannesburg – ActionSA has voiced its approval of the high court’s decision that declared the City of Johannesburg’s VIP Protection policy “unconstitutional and invalid”.

ActionSA remarked: “This ruling, which identified the policy as unlawful, strengthens our position on this matter, in stark contrast to the unfounded statements made by the naive DA caucus leader.”

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ActionSA has persistently opposed the VIP Protection Policy, even casting votes against it during council meetings.

“There is already a provision that permits public representatives to request necessary protection if they encounter threats,” ActionSA stated on Friday, (3 January 2025).

“We consider this provision to be sufficient. Our stance is that resources designated for VIP protection should be redirected towards enhancing service delivery.”

“However, we have been informed that the personnel will be drawn from the JMPD [Johannesburg Metro Police Department] pool.”

ActionSA highlighted that the security arrangements for Cllr Nobuhle Mthembu, the City of Johannesburg Council Speaker, did not correspond with the assertions made in the VIP Protection Policy.

ActionSA further stated: “Cllr Mthembu does not enjoy the benefits of an entourage or multiple bodyguards.”

“We assert that public representatives should remain accessible to the communities that elected them, rather than creating a barrier.”

“Unlike on 20th March 2024, when the Council sanctioned this unconstitutional policy, ActionSA now holds seats in the Legislature, and we will utilize our positions to ensure the policy complies with the Act and ministerial guidelines.”

“We will also ensure that any decision to increase a particular municipal councillor’s personal protection allowance is in accordance with the Act and ministerial directives, as mandated by the court.”

ActionSA called on the DA to “cease their misleading narratives and propaganda” against them and to collaborate with Council Speaker Mthembu in her attempts to rectify previous mistakes.