The DA in Govan Mbeki recently took the municipality to task for outsourced security services.
This played out in an ordinary council meeting held on 29 March 2023 where we called on the municipality to do away with the outsourcing of security personnel at the cost of R36 million.
The municipality claims that they pay each security guard R18917. The DA has since established that these security guards earn only R5000 and that their salary goes just above R6000 if they work overtime.
This means the remaining amount is profit for the security company awarded the tender.
Govan Mbeki is amongst the country’s top five municipalities with the largest Eskom debt. One would expect them to start being economical and start solidifying their revenue collection system.
The channeling of millions to companies owned by cadres has contributed to the municipality’s appalling financial state. It is high time that the municipality shifts towards insourcing labour in order to reduce costs associated with outsourcing.
This will enable them to conduct their own affairs in an efficient way. In this manner, security guards will also take accountability and do their work with pride.
The department in charge of this service is headed up by an EFF MMC, Mavis Nsibande, in the Community Service portfolio, yet EFF councilors were divided on this item.
MMC Nsibande in the Community Service department needs to be reminded that one of her primary responsibilities is to ensure that the municipality’s infrastructure is well maintained and looked after.
The current contract of outsourcing security has lapsed, with the tender due to be advertised soon. This time around the amount is likely to increase to R40 Million per annum.
Given the fact that the municipality is already sitting with a qualified report from the Auditor General and funds continue to be mismanaged.
We have asked our COGTA spokesperson, Trudie Grove-Morgan to urgently write to MEC Mandla Msibi and urge him to consider implementing Section 106 of the Municipal System Act in Govan Mbeki.
