R500 000 to escort Zuma, Motlanthe
QUESTIONS have been raised about the possible blurring of state and party lines after the City of Tshwane used ratepayers’ money on an escort for President Jacob Zuma and his deputy.
Internal documents seen by The Star’s sister paper, the Pretoria News, show that Tshwane city manager Jason Ngobeni approved R500 000 for metro police to escort Zuma and his deputy, Kgalema Motlanthe, before and during the January 8 rally and launch of the ruling party’s 2014 election manifesto in Mbombela on January 12.
The Mbombela event took place outside the council’s borders in Mpumalanga.
The documents give details of the mission, including the request for Ngobeni to approve the sending of the metro police officers to Mpumalanga, as well as for R500 000 to be transferred from the council’s speed law enforcement cost centre to subsistence and travelling.
The council has admitted using its resources for the ANC gathering, but denied that the figure was R500 000. It did not give an alternative figure.
In a letter dated December 27, the Presidential Protection Service asked that Tshwane metro police be allowed to deviate from their normal processes and assist with escorting Zuma from January 3 to 12, and Motlanthe from January 8 to 12.
An advance team, consisting of two officers, would be sent ahead for three days to assess the identified accommodation, and to outline Motlanthe and Zuma’s routes.
This was to be followed by a second team of 10 officers, who would escort Zuma on his arrival in Mbombela.
A third team of seven officers would perform similar duties for the deputy president.
Team four, consisting of management, would oversee the operation.
This brought to 22 the number of officers sent to Mpumalanga.
Arrangements were made for the fuelling of all vehicles at BP garages and the waiving of tollgate fees along the route.
The City of Tshwane said Ngobeni approved the participation and expenditure for the requested services, and extended Tshwane metro police’s powers, including the use of vehicles and carrying of firearms outside the jurisdiction of the City of Tshwane.
This was in line with the Municipal Finance Management Act.
The DA in Tshwane criti- cised the approval of such a large amount of public money.
“The financial implications for the total amount due for fuel and the use of its own vehicles has not yet been added to the R500 000,” the DA’s Karen Meyer said.
“First of all, it is not the responsibility of the Tshwane metro to supply such a service, and definitely not outside its borders.
“Secondly, council should never have approved this. Until today, no such report was provided to councillors, the section 79 oversight committee or the council, even though the Municipal Finance Management Act clearly states it should be submitted.”
City of Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa has defended the decision.
“We will continue to support various institutions in their request for our services and co-operation in programmes and activities that enhance our role,” he said.
Political analyst Daniel Silke warned that, in funding the mission, the City of Tshwane had spent ratepayers’ money on a political event.