Scores of security guards who say they have not been paid their December salaries protested outside the Greater Tzaneen municipal offices last Wednesday.
The protesting guards are part of the 125 officers working for the private Security company, Hlimbyi which has been awarded a tender to provide security services to the Greater Tzaneen Municipality.
Spokesperson for the guards, Wilson Serumule said they have not been paid since they started working on December 1.
“We did not get any money to buy Christmas presents for our families. Now we can’t pay school fees and buy uniform for our children. Our children will have to sit at home because there is no money to send them to school,” said Serumule.
He said when they asked the owner of Hlimbyi Security, Audry Shiphalana about their salaries, she says she has not received payment from the municipality for the services rendered.
Shiphalana referred inquiries to the acting municipal manager, Norah Lion.
Lion said Hlimbyi Security contract with the municipality has been terminated because it was awarded in disregard of the recommendation of the municipality’s bid adjudication committee.
The bid adjudication committee recommended that the bid be advertised again to comply with required legislation and prescripts.
At the time the tender was awarded by the former acting municipal manager Obby Mkhombo its validity period had lapsed.
She refused to answer further questions saying the matter is awaiting judicial determination. It will be heard in the Polokwane High Court next Wednesday.
