Two weeks after protests gripped Grahamstown, Grocott's Mail can now reveal that Makana Municipality has contracted private security guards to protect councillors' homes against vandalism by protesting residents.
Two weeks after protests gripped Grahamstown, Grocott's Mail can now reveal that Makana Municipality has contracted private security guards to protect councillors' homes against vandalism by protesting residents.
Fifty-five security guards, from Fidelity Security Services in Port Elizabeth, are employed by the municipality to keep watch at municipal properties like community halls, and councillors' houses.
Municipal spokesperson Thandy Matebese said this was done two weeks ago when some councillors feared for their properties after residents vandalised the tar roads in both Phaphamani and Joza on February 9 and 10.
“Some councillors raised safety concerns for their property, and security personnel were sent to their houses,” Matebese said. However, he said no councillors were provided with bodyguards.
A high-ranking official in Fidelity Security Services' PE office confirmed that 55 guards were employed by the municipality. Of the 55 guards, the official said 15 work the day shift, while 40 work overnight.
One security guard, based in the Noluthando Community Hall in Joza Township, spoke on condition of anonymity. He said they had started work on February 11, two days after violent clashes between Phaphamani residents and police. This was also on the same day three activists from the Unemployed People's Movement (UPM) were released on bail.
Another security guard at Luvuyo Hall in Fingo said the day-shift security guards are transported by bus from PE to Grahamstown, and taken back when the overnight guards arrive. Ward 8 Councillor Nomazwi Fuku, who is listed among the five councillors who requested security from the municipality, reiterated Matebese's assertion that no councillors have been provided with personal bodyguards.
Other councillors who requested security are: Xolani Simakuhle (Ward 10), Nomhle Gaga (Ward 7), Zamuxolo Peter (Ward 2), and Misiwe Madinda (Ward 2).
According to Fuku, guards from Fidelity Security Services carry out a routine drive in the evenings on all streets where councillors live. UPM spokesperson Xola Mali said: “It is amazing to us that the politicians and officials feel the need to use public money to protect themselves from the same public that they are supposed to be serving. It is amazing how quickly they can do this when they can't build a toilet in 17 years.”
In the Recreation Centre on Albany Road, one of eight municipal properties where guards remain on watch, residents seemed unaware of the need for the security guard's presence in the community hall.“Where are the private security guards for the women facing rape and even murder?” asks Mali.
Matebese, who confirmed the employment of the security guards by the municipality and the places where these guards are stationed, could not say how much this is costing taxpayers. He could not reveal the contents of the municipality's agreement with Fidelity, including how long the security guards would remain in Grahamstown, because Thabiso Klaas, the executive director of corporate services, was out of town for the whole week on municipal business.
The latest expenditure comes after a recent audit report that damned the municipality for its irregular and unauthorised expenditure.
