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The Congress of the People is outraged at further wasteful spending by Government, this time in the form of V.I.P. bodyguard services for Julius Malema.

This protection comes at a cost of R300 000 per month, and the taxpayer will have to foot the bill.

It also appears that Julius Malema is not entitled to the money to come from Government funds. In the eyes of the current legislation he is a private citizen and therefore the money for this cannot come from public funds.

This is another example of the ruling party blurring the lines between party and state. It is a dangerous precedent and we cannot allow this to continue.

COPE calls for Luthuli House or Julius Malema to pay for this VIP protection, should they deem it necessary, and for the immediate recompense of public funds in any costs incurred.

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:21:47 +0200
To: "newsdesk@engineeringnews.co.za" <newsdesk@engineeringnews.co.za>
Subject: COPE statement on Airbus Deal Cancellation

The Congress of the People welcomes the decision by Cabinet to cancel the deal to purchase 8 military airlift planes. The purchase would have hamstrung the economy to the tune of an additional R23 billion due to the escalation in costs.

In a statement issued not to long ago, COPE called for government to rethink the sensibility of going through with this deal in these economically difficult times. We are therefore pleased that government still has the humility to take on board views from all parties in some instances.

Any further governmental forays into the procurement of arms and military equipment, and governments justification for the procurement thereof, will be watched very carefully by COPE