High Court Declares City of Johannesburg’s VIP Protection Policy Unconstitutional After Legal Challenge from the Democratic Alliance

The High Court Strikes Down Joburg’s VIP Protection Policy

In a landmark decision on January 2, 2025, the High Court ruled that the City of Johannesburg’s VIP protection policy was unconstitutional.

This ruling has stirred up significant discussion, especially as it focuses on how far the policy goes in extending benefits to senior officials, beyond what the constitution allows.

It’s a big win for the Democratic Alliance (DA), who challenged the policy in court.

DA’s Opposition to the Policy

The VIP protection policy, which was adopted in March 2024, allowed for up to eight bodyguards for the mayor, along with additional security for the speaker and members of the mayoral committee.

The DA quickly took issue with this, arguing that the policy was an unnecessary drain on public resources.

The party believed it violated good governance principles, claiming it was a blatant waste of taxpayers’ money.

The DA has consistently maintained that politicians should not receive expensive VIP protection, especially at the cost of public funds that could be better spent elsewhere.

They’ve made it clear that their stance on this issue remains firm.

A Major Win for the DA

Following the ruling, the DA welcomed the court’s decision to strike down the policy.

According to a statement by the Southern African Legal Information Institute (SAFLII), the court’s judgment was shared electronically with the relevant parties and made publicly available on January 2, 2025.

The case, titled Democratic Alliance v City of Johannesburg and Others (052407/2024) [2025] ZAGPJHC 1, has become a significant example of the court’s stance on the matter.

Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, DA’s regional leader, expressed her satisfaction with the ruling, calling it a win for the party’s long-standing position that the policy was unconstitutional.

Temporary Suspension of the Ruling

The High Court did not enforce the ruling immediately, giving the City of Johannesburg a temporary reprieve.

The ruling has been suspended until February 14, 2025, to allow the city time to conduct a proper threat and risk assessment.

This would help determine if there’s a legitimate need for such extensive protection for officials.

The DA, however, remains skeptical that the City will be able to provide convincing evidence, given its past failures to present such assessments.

City of Joburg Considers Next Steps

The City of Johannesburg, through its legal team, is currently reviewing the judgment to determine how to proceed.

Chris Vondo, the spokesperson for the mayor’s office, stated that the city would make an announcement after thoroughly studying the ruling.

He emphasized that the City’s leadership is committed to respecting the court’s decision while addressing all concerns raised in the judgment.

“We’re looking at the judgment carefully, and the city intends to implement it as best as possible.

Consultations are underway, both internally and externally, to make sure we tackle all the issues the court raised,” Vondo added.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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