Tensions are high between the provincial public works department and a company linked to alleged scammer Chris Zamani Ngwenya over nonpayment of security guards in a multimillion-rand security tender.
This has put security services at risk in four government buildings in the Joe Gqabi district, with a building closed in Steynsburg.
This after the acting head of department, Nomalungelo Nomandela, gave a tongue lashing to representatives of Peekay Trading CC, trading as Eagle Eye Security and of which Ngwenya is the director, over nonpayment of the guards.
The company failed to pay its workers within the first months of taking on the job after it was awarded a three-year contract in March 2024, at a cost of R47m, to render security services to a cluster of government department offices at the Joe Gqabi District Municipality.
While November and December salaries were paid during the first week of February, workers have not yet received their January and February salaries despite the department having paid within the 30-day notice period.
On Monday, Sanco regional chair Misani Zuzani said the workers had decided to embark on a “go-slow” until their salaries were paid.
“The guards are going on site, but they are not performing any duties. They do not monitor anything and have decided to remain silent until their matter is done.
“There aren’t any normal security checks in all those buildings, this has put those government offices [at risk].”
This follows a stakeholder meeting held in Maletswai on Tuesday last week, where the company is said to have told the department it had no money to pay the workers.
According to Nehawu branch chair Thozamile Babane, the move angered Nomandela, who requested that the company prioritise the workers.
“The HOD was mostly angry and frustrated because the company kept saying there’s no money.
“However, her anger was very diplomatic because we expected the department to issue penalties for breach of contract.
“We left that meeting without having any commitments from the company because it did not specifically say when they will pay, hence we are still in this situation.
“Workers have now demanded to receive just R1,500 so that they can pay off their rentals” Babane said.
This led to more than 50 workers blockading entrances to the contracted buildings with burning tyres on Wednesday last week, demanding their full outstanding payments, some dating back to April 2024.
The company employs 56 security guards including supervisors and night-shift guards at the Themba Kojana Building in Maletswai, the public works training centre in Steynsburg, the ex-CPA Building, and the social department’s Paul Kruger building offices, also in Maletswai.
The company won the tender after it had presented a combined R130m bid for security services for a cluster of departments in the Joe Gqabi, Alfred Nzo and OR Tambo district municipalities.
During a stakeholder consultation meeting on February 7 over the guards’ nonpayment, a report by public works chief director for facilities and security management Noloyiso Ntwana said she would engage with the public works CFO to determine whether to pay the security guards directly for January and February, as well as other outstanding payments dating from April 2024.
Public works spokesperson Siya Mdodi confirmed that the department’s training centre office in Steynsburg had been closed since last week.
Mdodi said there had been several engagements between the service provider, senior government officials and representatives of the security guards.
“The department is consulting its legal services regarding this matter,” he said.
Ngwenya is barred from entering the department’s premises.
Eagle Eye co-director Nthabiseng Mako declined to comment .
She then promised to comment later, but could not be reached by the time of publication.
Ngwenya, 49, is out on R60,000 bail after being arrested in Retail Park, Beacon Bay, in August 2024 in connection with missing investments totalling more than R10m made by unsuspecting pensioners and Road Accident Fund recipients.
The investments were into a company called Future Millionaires, of which Ngwenya is listed as director.
Ngwenya’s arrest came after a three-year investigation by the Hawks.
Daily Dispatch
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