The R6,5-million trip for elite police and defence force members to the Caribbean to provide added security at the Cricket World Cup was disgraceful, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Monday.
”When crime in South Africa is under control, then we can start to worry about helping other countries deal with their own security needs,” said the opposition party’s spokesperson on safety and security, Dianne Kohler-Barnard.
”The inference here is that members of the special task force plus specialists on explosives, bomb disposal, firearms, hostage negotiations, detectives, crime-scene investigators and others — apparently needed in the West Indies to ”render operational assistance” to those already on duty — will not be missed in this country.”
She said it is obvious that audiences at the World Cup are returning home as their favourites are eliminated from the tournament, and that the crime rate in the islands does not warrant South Africa sending its finest to assist for three weeks.
”The fact that a private plane is being used today to ferry them off to the Caribbean — having flown empty from the United States to collect them — is utterly scandalous,” she continued.
The party will submit written questions to Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula to obtain an explanation and the cost of the exercise. — Sapa