Cape Town – Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda has responded to criticism regarding his alleged excessive security detail and use of luxury vehicles.
Addressing concerns during the State of the City Address (SOCA), Gwamanda clarified that he only has eight bodyguards, not 10 as reported.
“I do not have 10 bodyguards. The eight bodyguards that are there were given to me by councillor Mpho Phalatse. The car that I am being driven in is a car that I got from Mpho Phalatse,” The Citizen quoted Gwamanda as saying.
He added: “I travel in my private car more than I do with bodyguards, that’s the kind of leader that I am. The City of Johannesburg embraces me in the absence of protectors.”
eNCA reported last month that the City of Johannesburg’s plan to allocate over R3 million for VIP protection, including 60 bodyguards and 40 vehicles for city councillors, had sparked criticism.
The report said that Gwamanda was slated to receive 10 bodyguards and a fleet of luxury cars for his security, drawing particular ire.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) condemned the move, insisting on a security threat assessment before such budget increases.
Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku expressed concern over the justification for the excessive number of bodyguards and vehicles, demanding explanations from MMCs.
“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,” the reort quoted DA’s Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku as saying.
Gwamanda, however, accused the DA of exaggerating the number of bodyguards.
He defended his administration’s continuation of a VIP policy inherited from the previous DA administration.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
