The man at the helm of the bodyguards protecting the administrator, Mr Theo van Vuuren, and the Chief Financial Officer, Mr Ben Dorfling, paid an admission of guilt fine after it was found that the company rendering the security service was not registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA).
Mr Verne St John Clark appeared in Witbank Magistrate’s Court on July 30 where he paid the fine of R5 000.
If not properly registered, the question pops up how did he secure the tender to tighten the security around the prominent figures in the municipality?
Van Vuuren said Clark works for a security company called Msanzi Guarding and Events CC and they specialise in guarding, events, security and other related matters.
WITBANK NEWS spoke to the founder member of Msanzi Guarding and Events, Mr Melusi Clifford Dladla and he said Clark approached him in June this year asking for a job as an administrator of the company.
“I am making it clear that Verne is not working as a security guard but as an administrator,” said Dladla.
He said he is aware that Clark has had problems with PSIRA and is being castigated by the municipality for not having the necessary registration in order.
Van Vuuren said he does not know why Clarke paid an admission of guilt fine.
“I suspect it has something to do with his personal registration in the security industry,” Van Vuuren said.
This incident is leaving the municipality red in the face as it follows an article published on June 6 (‘Muscle-men’ not that expensive and a necessity said Mr Fix-it ) wherein Van Vuuren had to explain why close to R20-million is being paid on security.
He said: “Only six so-called bodyguards are employed to protect senior staff. The others are protecting the building, assets and are involved in the law enforcement operations and forensic investigations. They are not bodyguards.”
Van Vuuren said the R20-million can be broken down into three spheres, law enforcement unit, forensic investigations and then lastly personal protection.
“From the R20-million mentioned in the article less than 25% can be considered for personal protection. To have personal and general security and protection in place is viewed by the municipal senior management as an absolute necessity as the municipality is an unsafe environment and the forensic investigations, addressing of illegal activities as well as some elements in the internal staffing environment, necessitate security,” Van Vuuren said.
All attempts to get hold of Clark were fruitless.
1. PLEASE NOTE THAT Mr Verne Clark appeared in Court B, and the matter was referred to Court C for trial.
2. It is very concerning to note certain comments in Your article, especially after Mr Verne Clark became aware of the fact that criminal charges have been laid against him, he still continued to engage with Mzanzi.
3. The question should be asked is FRONTING A CRIMINAL OFFENCE?
4. This matter was brought to the attention of the Municipality in February 2014, but NO ACTION was taken.
5. PLEASE inform the PUBLIC as to the ARTICLES that were published in May 2014.
6. Mr Theo van Vuuren and Mr Ben Dorfling to be held accountable.
7. The Close Protectors were issued with new shirts approximately a week ago, and SEE LOGO and that published on the FACEBOOK PAGE of Mr Verne Clark, it is identical.
8. There are other allegations made against Mr Verne Clark which have NOT come to Court as a result of direct interference by OFFICIALS at the WITBANK SAPS.
9. The ORGANISED CRIME UNIT, the SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT – SIU, and the ASSET FORFEITURE UNIT must be brought in.
10. Finally the ANTI-CORRUPTION UNIT.
11. A full COMMISSION OF INQUIRY must be instituted as well.
12. The EVENTS that took place on 15 July 2013, at the Municipality pre and post are under INVESTIGATION. Mr Verne Clark who personally searched me for a FIREARM, but did NOT disclose the fact to date.
13. The assault on a 70year old man with a TAZER three times in his stomach has NOT BEEN INVESTIGATED.
14. It is alleged that the son of a high ranking police official works under Mr Verne Clark, resulting in criminal cases against the Municipality going NO WHERE.
15. Where is the REPORT concerning the EVENTS of 15 July 2013 – WARD 22 COMMITTEE MEETING, Mr Verne Clark CANNOT remember that MR MOHAMMED BHAMJEE, removed our PRESENTATION without our PERMISSION.
16. Why did the MUNICIPALITY, and especially Mr Theo van Vuuren NOT investigate this matter?
17. Why did Mr Verne Clark NOT secure the CRIME SCENE, and wait for SAPS OFFICIALS to arrive?
18. Why did Kol Talmakkies NOT come to the CRIME SCENE on 15 July 2013, for he was at the CRIME OFFICE?
19. Why has the previous Cllr Hannes Steyn media statement NOT been taken to date?
20. Mr Verne Clark whispered in the ear of the Previous Cllr Hannes Steyn who then adjourned the meeting. This fact is not disclosed by Mr Verne Clark.
21. Cllr Hannes Steyn alleges that he did NOT invite the WITBANK MUSLIM JAMAAT or their REPRESENTATIVES to the WARD COMMITTEE MEETING.
PLEASE INVESTIGATE FURTHER THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW, WHERE THEIR HARD EARNED INCOME IS GOING TO!!