Unions representing security officers and guards want the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government to act against more than 1,500 non-compliant companies accused of exploiting workers and violating labour laws.
“We are supposed to work 12 hours a day, but some sites only pay us for 11.5 hours, excluding the lunch break, which is illegal,” said Thoba Mfeka, a guard at Fidelity Security Group in KwaDukuza.
“Even when we return uniforms after being dismissed, we are not refunded, even though the law says uniforms must be provided at no cost,” said Mfeka.
Mfeka said those called to cover shifts for sick colleagues are denied overtime rates.
“They say you are not authorised to be there, even though they asked you to come in and end up being paid less than you should.”
He also criticised the inconsistency in schedule, which prevents many from reaching the minimum 208 hours a month required by contract.
Guards posted to retail stores or banks are often scheduled for fewer hours and have their pay reduced. “That is not legal,” Mfeka said.
The pay system, which adjusts salaries based on geographical zones, is another concern.
“When you are moved to a lower-paying area temporarily, your responsibilities stay the same, but your pay is cut which is unfair.”
He further accused managers of nepotism, accepting bribes, and removing guards from sites to make room for friends.
“You are told you are not needed anymore with no explanation. There is no paper trail, no evidence, so you cannot even challenge it,” Mfeka said.
Frustration with the CCMA and Bargaining Council was also evident.
“We opened a case last year about working hours and uniforms. It has not even been attended to,” Mfeka said.
“We are also not paid for training hours, and they withhold our certificates after completing the training for no reason,” Mfeka said.
Lucky Mbatha, employed by Bambisanani Security Company, echoed similar complaints. “They refuse to pay us properly for Sundays and public holidays,” he said.
“When we complain, they fabricate charges to fire us. We have taken them to the CCMA and even won, but they still refuse to pay.”
Mbatha accused management of using the excuse that clients pay less while refusing to share any contracts to prove it.
“When we ask, they say it is none of our business. But when they want to underpay us, suddenly it is.”
His colleague, Sbusiso Mphili, stated that many guards are paid a flat rate of R5,500 monthly, regardless of the hours worked or the number of holidays.
“We have tried everything including the CCMA and meetings with the management but nothing has changed. The employer keeps making excuses.”
Led by unions DETAWU, NUMSA, SATAWU, AWU, and SANSAWF, the guards handed over a memorandum at the KwaZulu-Natal Premier’s Office.
It accused the provincial government and treasury of enabling the abuse of over 90,000 security officers by contracting rogue service providers.
AWU provincial secretary Sbongiseni Nyinde demanded the shutdown of companies that violate labour laws. “Some companies are stealing from workers, and we are calling for arrests,” he said.
SATAWU provincial secretary Nothemba Dlamini praised the unity among workers. “Some marched straight from night shift, that is how desperate they are to see change,” she said.
She also urged the government to eliminate middlemen and hire guards directly.
DETAWU general secretary Vusi Ntshangase said: “it is a shame that some of these abusive companies are black-owned. They know our struggle, yet they exploit us.”
Unions say guards are losing R15.5 million a month in hospital benefit deductions and R65.9 million in unpaid provident fund contributions. “These funds end up as bonuses for corrupt bosses,” the unions noted in a memorandum.
The unions have given Premier Thami Ntuli seven days to respond, warning that failure to act would trigger a larger protest that could shut down services. “This is just the beginning,” said Nyinde. “We are tired of being treated like disposable labour. If we are ignored, we will intensify our actions.”
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