DA says 10 bodyguards for Joburg mayor is 'not justified'

JOHANNESBURG - Reports that the City of Johannesburg will fork out over R3-million on VIP protection, including 60 bodyguards and 40 vehicles for city councillors, are being criticised. 

Of the R3-million amount, mayor Kabelo Gwamanda would be given 10 bodyguards and a fleet of luxury cars for his security. 

WATCH: Discussion | Joburg Mayor's VIP protection

The Democratic Alliance has slammed the move, saying a security threat assessment is needed before increasing budget for this.

The DA's Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku said, "Our view is that if the city delivers it wouldn’t be difficult for them to go into communities and worry about security."

"We can understand that sometimes there’s issues of tenders issues but any threat there should be a security assessment but 10 bodyguards is not justified especially the number of vehicles that is a concern for us."

"None of the MMCs has really given us an explanation as to why so many of these vehicles and also protectors have been increased."