R15m security detail
Competition Commission coughs up millions after top officials robbed at gunpoint
THE Competition Commission has spent R14.9 million on protecting its senior officials after they were subjected to a spate of criminal acts and breaches of security at its premises from June last year.
This was revealed by Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel in written reply to a parliamentary question from the DA’s Michael Cardo.
Cardo had asked about VIP protection services for members of the commission’s executive committee in the past five financial years.
Patel said senior staff have been subject to a spate of criminal acts.
“The source and purpose of which is not yet apparent in spite of these having been reported to the law-enforcement agencies, which warranted in the opinion of the commission, the provision of security to a limited number of senior officials in order to ensure the safety of persons and sensitive information.”
Patel named at least two incidents where the deputy commissioner and chief financial officer were victims of crime as well as breaches at the premises of the commission.
“On May 25 last year, the deputy commissioner, while returning from a work assignment, was held at gunpoint and his work computer laptop, tablet and mobile phone, among other things, were taken.
“On August 8 last year, there was a security breach at the commission premises and two laptops containing sensitive evidence were stolen from the cartels division. This followed incidents where laptops and mobile phones belonging to, among others, the commissioner were stolen under what the commissioner described as mysterious circumstances,” Patel said, adding that the chief financial officer was robbed at gunpoint on September 9 last year.
Patel further said the commission provided private security to four senior staff members, terminating the services of the security service provider at their premises, and commissioning a security assessment by a private service provider.
“The report pointed to some security gaps in the security of the commissioner, the deputy commissioner and the divisional manager for cartels.
“Further work is also being done on IT security systems and further upgrades will be done subject to budget availability,” Patel said.
The minister added that the police were providing security to former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, who heads the market inquiry into private healthcare. This was at the commission’s request.
Patel also said the State Security Agency was approached to further investigate the criminal incidents, and undertook a comprehensive assessment on the security requirements of the commission.
“The detailed security assessments will inform any further decisions on this matter, including whether to continue with security measures and the appropriate level of such services,” Patel added.