Civil rights group AfriForum will send a letter to Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa on Tuesday to request an explanation for African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) leader Julius Malema’s costly police protection.
”According to the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, any person or persons affected by the administrative actions of anyone in a decision-making capacity may apply in writing to be informed about the reasons for such a decision,” AfriForum lawyer Willie Spies said in a statement.
”If the reasons provided are deemed to be inadequate, the applicant may then submit a revision application against the decision to the Supreme Court.”
Spies said the tax-paying public had a right to know why the leader of the ANCYL needed state-funded VIP protection.
”Mr Malema is not even a public official. Last year, the VIP protection of the Congress of the People leader, Mr Mosiuoa Lekota, was terminated with immediate effect when he resigned as MP and minister,” said Spies.
”In addition, the average South African has to get by on a daily basis without any kind of protection, while being in peril of life due to the high levels of violent crime in their homes and places of employment.”
As soon as the minister replies, AfriForum will decide whether to apply for a judicial review of the Malema decision.
Weekend media reports suggested his VIP protection would cost in the region of R300Â 000 per month. — Sapa