JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – MARCH 08: Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema addresses the media on March 08, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Addressing the issue of the expropriation of land without compensation, Malema said it was not a call for war but instead a debate, and that those who disagreed were more than welcome to put their views forward but would have to convince the EFF, ANC and the National Assembly. (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Felix Dlangamandla)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – MARCH 08: Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema addresses the media on March 08, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Addressing the issue of the expropriation of land without compensation, Malema said it was not a call for war but instead a debate, and that those who disagreed were more than welcome to put their views forward but would have to convince the EFF, ANC and the National Assembly. (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Felix Dlangamandla)
As Julius Malema wheeled into Parliament last week, it didn’t go unnoticed that he arrived via a cavalcade of BMWs and blue lights.
It turns out that the CIC is currently receiving the first-class VIP protection offered to high-profile South Africans. TimesLive were informed by police spokesperson Vish Naidoo that he had been granted the security access earlier this month.
Party Spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi shed light on why the decision had been made, revealing that the police were in agreement with the EFF that Malema’s life is indeed “under threat”.
Who is sending death threats to Julius Malema?
Juju is arguably the most divisive political firebrand in the country. He certainly knows how to get under people’s skin, and his role in South African can range from pantomime villain to people’s hero. However, his bellicose language and unrepentant use of racially-insensitive terms has made him a vulnerable target.
After threatening to “slit the throat of whiteness” earlier this year and ramping up the land expropriation rhetoric, the EFF confirmed that “right-wing forces” wanted to assassinate Malema.
The party also stated that their decision to bring no-confidence motions against ex-North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo made Juju a marked man. A pro-Mahumapelo faction of “insane individuals” had allegedly threatened Malema’s life back in April 2018.
How much VIP protection costs South Africa
According to the treasury, the VIP Police Protection Programme is tasked with protecting local and foreign dignitaries. It also evaluates security for national key points and some strategic installations. The government spends billions of rand every year to keep these individuals safe
Here’s that amount of money in context: In its 2018/2019 financial year, the National Treasury set aside R2.7 billion for land reform and R2.9 billion for protection and security services, according to AfricaCheck.
Part of this expenditure also goes towards the Presidential Protection Unit, which protects current and former leaders as well as members of their families. The elite unit consists of 1‚382 protection officers, which cost taxpayers R693 million in the last financial year. It works out at R500 000 a year per bodyguard.
