The amount spent on VIP protection services to safeguard politicians and dignitaries soared during former president Jacob Zuma’s term in office, a study by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) shows. The report — titled SA’s Secret Police: Inside the Multi-billion Rand Clandestine VIP Protection Services — said the unit’s budget had ballooned from R138m in 2000-01 and would reach R1.7bn in 2020-2021. The VIP protection services provide for the safety of the president, deputy president, former presidents, their spouses and other identified dignitaries while in transit. Gareth van Onselen, IRR head of politics and governance and author of Wednesday’s report, pointed out the massive increase during Zuma’s terms in office, during which costs rose from R353m in 2008-09 to R1.5bn in 2018-19. Van Onselen said budget projections showed that Ramaphosa was "set to inherit a behemoth". South Africa's Secret Police - Inside the Multi-Billion Rand, Clandestine VIP Protection Services VIP protec...
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