Health to contest security tenders interdict bid

THE Western Cape Department of Health will challenge the interdict applications by five private security companies who are aggrieved at not being selected for the renewal of tenders at 258 hospitals.

Attorney for the applicants, Mark Hess, said the tenders were estimated to be valued in excess of R2 billion over three years with the option of being extended by two years, and had been awarded to three private security companies.

Phangela Private Security Services, Golden Security Services and Amazim-Zim Security and Private Investigators were the companies that got the nod to render services at hospitals in the province.

The provincial Department of Health and Wellness said: “(We) can confirm that following the awarding of tenders for the provision of security services at healthcare facilities and health infrastructure throughout the province, unsuccessful bidders have sought to annul these awards and halt the initiation of the new contracts through several court applications.

“The department is actively contesting these applications and remains dedicated to addressing these legal hurdles with fairness and reasonableness while upholding respect for the decisions and procedures of the courts.”

Yesterday, the urgent application for the interdict was postponed to April 16 at the Western Cape High Court.

It was launched by Sechaba Protection Services, Silver Solutions, Star Project Management, All 4 Security Services, and Helios Security and Risk Management to interdict the three security companies from rendering services at 36 health facilities in the province.

They contend that they have been “irregularly excluded from consideration for all regions in the department” after they had submitted their bids.