Note to editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Dr Jack Bloom MPL.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng condemns Mafoko Security Patrol for paying its 200 guards at the George Mukhari Hospital only half their wages for January this year. They only received their January pay last week, but for only half the amount.
This company is notorious for not paying its workers on time or not paying them at all despite lucrative government contracts. They have a R180 million three-year contract to guard the George Mukhari Hospital, which means they get paid R25 000 a month per guard, but their guards only get paid about R6000 a month.
When I asked the Gauteng Health Department about Mafoko’s non-payment record, they responded last year that they “will decisively implement corrective measures in accordance with the signed service agreement and the General Conditions of Contract Management.”
It is disgraceful that they have not cracked down on Mafoko, unlike the Gauteng Provincial Legislature which dismissed Mafoko after they failed to pay the guards protecting the Legislature building in December last year.
There are also allegations that Mafoko owes workers as much as R330 million in contributions to their workers’ provident fund.
Security costs for all Gauteng hospitals have risen alarmingly from R655 million in 2022 to an astounding R2.54 billion in 2025. I suspect corruption as many security companies seem to be grossly over-charging while underpaying their workers.
The DA will continue to pressure the Gauteng Health Department to sanction Mafoko and other contracted companies that mistreat their workers. We are also pushing for a review of hospital security contracts to eliminate corruption and ensure value for money so that more is spent to provide quality treatment in hospitals and clinics.