Police bodyguards assigned to African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president Julius Malema have been withdrawn following a new threat assessment, police spokesperson Colonel Vishnu Naidoo said on Wednesday.
“Initially a threat assessment was done, and it warranted the provision of protection. That came under review and it emerged that the protection must be withdrawn,” said Naidoo.
Malema’s office was notified of this on October 6, said Naidoo.
He would not give details of how much the bodyguards cost taxpayers, saying this would give an indication of the level of protection a person was awarded.
He said “even you” can request protection if you think it is necessary, in response to a question on whether Malema was entitled to the bodyguards.
Last November, police ministry spokesperson Zweli Mnisi said the guards had been assigned to Malema but also would not say what the threat was.
“He wrote us a letter saying his life was in danger. Our crime intelligence then investigated and sent recommendations to the police commissioner,” he said at the time.
“Based on those findings, VIP protection was then decided on,” Mnisi said.
Entertained and enraged
Lobby group AfriForum wrote to the national commissioner of police asking what the threat was, and claimed it was costing the taxpayer R300 000 a month.
AfriForum was told this was classified information.
Malema had alternately entertained and enraged with his public statements, some of which have led to court cases against him.
Invited to comment, league spokesman Floyd Shivambu said it would irresponsible to discuss Malema’s security issues.
A spokesperson for Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa was not immediately available after a suggestion in the Star that the move might be related to the ANC’s succession battle.
The theory, according to unnamed ANC insiders, was that it should be seen in the context of the party’s succession battle and Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula, Malema’s biggest ally, being at loggerheads with Mthethwa and national police commissioner Bheki Cele. — Sapa