The departmental spokesperson, Steven Mahlangu, tells OFM News that the department was not aware of the allegations against the company. He says the department has since issued a directive to the company to schedule a meeting with all their security officers in different clusters and discuss issues of Human Resources, Finance, Legal Section, and the top management. 

Officials at the Bloemfontein Magistrate's and High Courts in the province, amongst others, say the company is paying them a minimum wage of R3500 instead of R5200, as agreed between them and the company. They also allege that they are working without contracts since the company took over the operations across the province in March.

Meanwhile, the EFF in the Free State has also made a call to the department to insource workers and do away with the tender system. The EFF’s provincial chairperson, Mandisa Makesini, says the party is aware of the alleged exploitation of these workers by this company and vows to fight for the workers’ rights.

However, Mahlangu from the department says “it should be noted that the company started in the middle of March 2021 which may be the reason why Security Officers were paid pro-rata salaries”. He adds that the company is supposed to clearly outline employment contracts for security officers in terms of allowances, hours, determination of salary, leave, night shift allowance, public holidays, Sundays, firearm allowances, the format of a payslip, and uniforms.

OFM News