Cape Town - Former Deputy President Jacob Zuma's protection was costing an estimated R100 000 a month - or R1.2m a year, says official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) safety spokesperson Roy Jankielsohn.

He derived the figures from a reply given to him in parliament from Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula.

Nqakula said the salary scale of a VIP protection services officer was R109 473 a year at inspector scale, or just under R300 a day. Over time, this amounted to about R528 a day - or a total payment of R827 a day.

Jankielsohn said it could be reasonably concluded that the State had to pay for a minimum of four protection officers, as well as for more members on an ad hoc basis such as when Zuma attends public gatherings "or travels significant distances".

"Therefore the basic cost for his protection would be R102 663 per month, or R1.2 million per year. This is without the additional costs of the provisions of vehicles as well as other forms of static security."

"It is clear that these costs cannot be borne forever and the government needs to give a clear indication as to how long it will provide Mr Zuma with this level of protection. The taxpayer should not have to foot this sizeable bill for an indefinite period."

The minister, meanwhile, said the Protective Security Policy (RIMAS) provided for minimum security packages for various categories of protected persons.

The minister said: "However a comprehensive threat assessment of a protectee may dictate a need for the increase or decrease of the package provided by the South African Police Service. We do not give details of the size of any of the protection units as that could compromise the security of the VIP under protection.

Jankielsohn said: "Despite the fact that former Deputy President Jacob Zuma has now been out of office for over four months, he is still receiving protection at a significant cost to the taxpayer.

"While there is certainly an argument to be made that he should receive such protection, it remains concerning that a precedent has been set that blurs the line between party and state.

"If party officials require additional security then the African National Congress (ANC) and not the State should provide this security."

Jankielsohn said: "By law only former presidents are entitled to full VIP protection. In all other instances, VIP protection is afforded at the discretion of the minister of safety and security, when he deems it necessary.

"There is a clear danger that if the precedent set for Mr Zuma is continued that all manner of senior ANC officials will be afforded protection to which they ordinarily would not be entitled to."

With acknowledgement to News24.