Private security sector unions march in CT over alleged exploitation of security officers

CAPE TOWN - Unions in the private security sector, including the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), marched in Cape Town on Thursday to voice their grievances over the alleged exploitation of security officers in the country.

The unions accused some private security companies of stealing money from their employees.

They claim that most of these companies are non-compliant with the country’s laws governing the private security sector, known as the Private Security Industry Regulation Act (PSIRA) of 2001.

A sizeable crowd of union members belonging to various unions in the private security sector gathered in front of Parliament to hand over memorandums to the Portfolio Committee of Police and the Standing Committee on Finance.

The unions accused some private security companies of pocketing money meant for employee benefits.

"It's about the provident fund that is being deducted and not forwarded over to the fund administrator. The other issue is the medical cover which is not being deducted by certain employers, depriving the benefits that we so hardly struggled for," said SATAWU’s Philemon Bembe.

The unions believe that both Parliament committees have an obligation to ensure that the country’s laws are adhered to.