SA spends more on its VIPs than on women and children

The South African government has been criticized for allocating more money to VIP protection than to specialized policing aimed at combating gender-based violence (GBV) and crimes against women and children. The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) policing environment receives about R1.614 billion, while VIP Protection Services receive R2.46 billion.

Experts argue that greater investment is needed in prevention programs that work with boys and girls before violence occurs, including positive parenting, healthy relationships, consent, and boundaries. The issue should be approached with proportionality, transparency, and public accountability, with budgets reflecting the country's declared priorities.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Citizen's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.