The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has declared the City of Johannesburg’s controversial VIP protection policy unconstitutional and invalid. The ruling, handed down on Thursday, challenges the policy that allowed the mayor to be assigned up to eight bodyguards, as well as multiple security details for the speaker and other senior council members. The decision came after the Democratic Alliance (DA) contested the policy, arguing it misused public funds intended for essential services such as water, electricity, and infrastructure maintenance.
The policy, adopted in March 2024, had violated ministerial guidelines that limit bodyguard allocations to just two for top officials, including the mayor, deputy mayor, speaker, and whips. The DA argued the excessive spending on security was disproportionate, especially as basic municipal services were underfunded.
In his judgment, Judge Stuart Wilson criticized the City for failing to secure a threat risk assessment from the South African Police Service (SAPS) or the State Security Agency to justify the policy’s provisions. The court ruled that the City’s actions were inconsistent with both the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act and the ministerial determinations governing such allocations.
While the court has annulled the policy, Judge Wilson suspended the ruling for six weeks, providing the City with an opportunity to obtain the required threat assessment to potentially justify the continued provision of high-level protection.
The City, which maintains the policy was implemented to safeguard councillors based on a formal risk assessment, dismissed claims of mismanagement and defended its approach, asserting that no additional budget was allocated for the protection services.
The ruling has sparked a broader debate about the priorities of local government, with critics questioning why public resources are being allocated to the protection of officials at the expense of improving public services. The DA, which led the court challenge, has called for a reevaluation of the City’s priorities, urging officials to focus on the pressing needs of residents.