Sol paid R27m for security at key points
WHILE the auditor-general is investigating a security tender awarded by the Northern Cape Department of Health to Defensor Security, the Sol Plaatje Municipality has paid the same company more than R27 million over the past two years for security.
This has emerged during a progress report to update the Sol Plaatje City Council’s Safety and Security Committee on the security contract at municipal key points.
The municipality’s contract with Defensor includes security technology implementation at various strategic sites, as well as access control at the Riverton Water Purification Works, Homevale Waste Water Treatment Works, the water works depot and the Beaconsfield Waste Water Works. It also includes monitoring and armed response for the sites.
The monitoring contract was signed in December 2015 for a period of three years, while in February 2016 the company also undertook access control at the four sites mentioned above.
According to the report, so far R14.5 million has been spent for the installation of equipment for the tender. “Also about R13 million has been spent for monitoring and armed response for the past two years.”
The report states that all required cameras and videofied alarms have been installed at all the sites, except the following where installation is either outstanding or incomplete due to budgetary constraints: civic centre (only the political floor is completed), all Roodepan sewer pump stations, the Kimberley fresh produce market, the Ritchie multipurpose centre and the solid waste site.
The additional sites have been budgeted for at about R7 million, including the R4 million already spent in June 2017.
The improvement of the fencing at the Riverton Water Purification Works, the Newton Reservoir and the Beaconsfield Waste Water Treatment Works will cost an estimated R16 million.
“The project has proven to have improved the security situation, curbed vandalism, theft, sabotage and eliminated or reduced the risks of security breach. It must be indicated that the SPM is already reaping results from the contract, from equipment losses, safety and labour matters utilising video footage.”
The matter was due to be discussed at last week’s Safety and Security Committee meeting. However, no meetings have been held following a high court order that the city’s executive mayor, Mangaliso Matika, must vacate his office until a decision about whether a DA-led motion of no confidence in him should be upheld. The matter is due to be heard later this month.
Meanwhile, the auditor-general in May this year confirmed that it would investigate the awarding of the security tender by the Department of Health following a request from Cope MPL Pakes Dikgetsi in November 2017.
The investigation will look into allegations relating to the contravention of the Public Audit Act as well as non-compliance during the 2017/18 financial year.