The security of municipal buildings around town hangs in the balance as council weighs its options regarding who to entrust with the duty of looking after the town's most valued possessions.
The security of municipal buildings around town hangs in the balance as council weighs its options regarding who to entrust with the duty of looking after the town's most valued possessions.
Makana Municipality currently relies on local security company Hi-Tec to guard its offices all around the town.
In April the South African Municipal Worker's Union (Samwu) had suggested that the municipality hire its own internal security guards.
Reflecting on the financial crisis Samwu recommended that council invest in an internal security system rather than relying on outsourcing expensive external service providers.
Speaking to Grocott's Mail on Thursday 26 June Samwu secretary Lindelwa Faltein said the report of the feasibility study was not discussed in the local labour forum.
She said had the report been discussed in that platform they would have been able to engage with the union.
Faltein said the report as it appeared in the council agenda was outrageous.
"Where have you ever heard of a security supervisor earning R38 000 per month? You can even go to the other municipalities. That report went straight to the Finance, Administration, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (Fame) and then to council," she said.
According to the report, a security services manager would earn a total annual package of R484 884.38.
Each of the three supervisors would earn a total annual package of R226 979.64 and each of the security guards would earn a total annual package of R129 362.44.
These include a basic salary; UIF; pension fund and medical aid.
This preliminary study conducted by council on the establishment of an internal security unit proved that it would be costly to have such a unit within the municipality.
Acting municipal manager Themba Mnguni said in a report to council the municipality would need over R 5 million per annum for the unit.
"As can be concluded from the preliminary study, council would not be in a position to establish a security unit within the short to medium term. The short contract with the current service provider expires on 30 June after which council will be without security services," said Mnguni.
He said it would be in council's interest to advertise a tender for a two year contract and in the meantime extend the contract with Hi-Tec security for two months to allow administration to finalise the tender.
Executive Mayor Zamuxolo Peter said that there was no way the municipality would pay such amounts for security services.
"Supervisors don't get that much salary. I think this should go back and it must have supporting documents and we must be provided with the right information," said Peter.
Six councillors were appointed to be part of the team that will continue with the feasibility study.
