Picture: The Kgomotso Community Centre in Kgomotso village, near Taung/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Some security guards at Kgomotso Community Centre, near Taung, which is under the North West Department of Social Development said, even though they continue to work very hard and are exposed to the worst working conditions, they feel short-changed by the Fusion Tactical Group.
The Fusion Tactical Group, which is allegedly owned by the ANC member and a prominent businessman, Sulieman Carrim, is contracted to the North West Department of Social Development to protect the centre.
According to the aggrieved security guards, the Fusion Tactical Group is ‘the law unto itself’ and does not subscribe to the PSIRA rules and regulations.
One of the aggrieved security guards, Kealeboga Maribe said: “As security guards from Kgomotso and Sekhing villages, we would like to request Taung DailyNews’ intervention regarding challenges that we are facing here.
“We have tried in abortive to engage the North West MEC for Social Development, Boitumelo Moiloa regarding this matter. We understand that, her department has paid the Fusion Tactical Group for two months and 10 days, but there was a shortfall on our salaries.”
Maribe further said, according to PSIRA, a security guard rates R23.19 per hour, which is not the case with Fusion Tactical Group. He added that, they have received R3000 in their first month and R3800 in their second month respectively.
“We were also surprised to receive R2000 for the 10 days that we worked. Our exercise to have a consultative engagement with the company to get to the bottom of this was futile,” he said.
The North West Social Development spokesperson, Petrus Siko said, the department has paid Fusion Tactical Group for one month and there was a delay regarding the second month’s payment due to a lack of timesheets.
“However, on 27 March 2023, the department contacted the company regarding this matter. The company confirmed to have processed the salary payment of the guards and they are fully paid according to the company.
“The matter of security guards’ salaries is regarded as a matter between the employer and employee, therefore the department is not involved,” he said.
Meanwhile, on 30 March 2023, Carrim’s Personal Assistant, Bedelia Sulieman promised to respond to the Taung DailyNews media inquiry, however, she failed. The response will be incorporated into the article when received.
The Guardian 