On Monday, 6 September, Pothlako security officers went on strike outside the Social Development office in Dassierand, demanding the removal of Pothlako Security Services as their contractor.
According to these workers, they had been working for two months without pay and some of their contracts had been terminated unfairly.
“Some of us were given contacts and signed up to start work, yet we are still sitting at home with the new uniforms we bought. Suddenly, they tell us our contracts have been terminated and they are hiring new people,” one of the angry protesters lamented. “We are approaching the festive season; how are we supposed to survive? We have children to feed.”
According to the South African Marginalised Workers’ Trade Union (SAMWTU), which represents them, many security companies who are contracted by the Department of Health in Dr Kenneth Kaunda district have failed to comply with labour regulations from the start of their tenders, leaving employees no choice but to demand fair labour practices.
“Most have committed to rectifying their issues by complying with all labour regulations as per the amended LRA 66 of 1995. Unfortunately, Pothlako has shown an unwillingness to comply with the J.B. Marks community, despite the intervention of the office of the MEC, Madoda Sambatha,” Siyabonga Jacobs, the general secretary, said.
“Pothlako security management has proven numerous times that they have no regard for the livelihoods of the poor workers but are obsessed with profits. Since the beginning of this contract, there has been alleged corruption during their recruitment processes, where jobs were sold to the unemployed security officers who were desperately seeking employment.”
“We call on the Department of Health to investigate this alleged corruption and take proper action to avoid continued disruption of services that disadvantages our poor communities,” the union concluded.
The workers have been told they will receive payment on Wednesday, 15 September.
“We keep getting false promises; we no longer trust what they say. We will only believe them once we see the money in our accounts,” another protester added. “We won’t grow tired of fighting for our rights. We will continue to wake up early and take taxis to demand what is rightfully ours and call it a day by walking back home in the scorching heat,” she said.
By the time of going to print Pothlako security management had still not responded to the Herald’s enquiries.
