The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng is disappointed that the Gauteng Health Department has failed to act against a security company that has reportedly failed to pay over provident funds collected from its workers.
According to a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature, Mafoko Security Patrol has a R180 million three-year contract to guard the George Mukhari Hospital.
The department claims to be unaware of a Garankuwa High Court judgment against this company concerning their failure to pay provident fund contributions. As a result of my question, they have sent a formal request to the company to provide clarification in this matter.
The department says they “will decisively implement corrective measures in accordance with the signed service agreement and the
General Conditions of Contract Management.”
According to Zwelinzima Vavi of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), Mafoko Security Patrols has disregarded hundreds of complaints by its security guards that money deducted from their wages has not been paid into a provident fund.
The Ga-Rankuwa High Court has found in favour of workers concerning determinations by the Pension Funds Adjudicator on the pay-over of provident fund money.
Vavi estimates that Mafoko owes workers between R111 million and R330 million in contributions.
According to Section 13A of the Pension Funds Act, employers are required to pay member contributions to a retirement fund, and non-compliance can result in criminal sanctions, including fines and imprisonment.
A TikTok video is also circulating that alleges this company did not pay the December salaries of its security workers who guard the Gauteng Provincial Legislature building.
Hospital security costs have ballooned suspiciously from R655 million in 2022 to an astounding R2.54 billion this year. I suspect corruption as many security companies seem to be grossly over-charging while underpaying their workers. There have been strikes by security guards who say they have not been paid for months.
The Department should set an example with Mafoko by sanctioning them for the poor treatment of their guards that has been reported.
The DA will continue to pressure the department to review hospital security contracts to ensure value for money as the priority should be to use the budget for quality treatment in hospitals and clinics.