Dozens of security personnel in the Northern Cape face financial ruin and unemployment following the guilty verdict of two directors from their former employer, Defensor Security Services, on charges of tender fraud.
This month, the Northern Cape High Court found the directors guilty of contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) after they submitted fraudulent documents to the Department of Health to secure a tender initially valued at over R200 million in 2017, which later ballooned to R386 million.
In the wake of the court’s decision, former employees of Defensor have come forward alleging they are owed unpaid salaries, bonuses, and crucial provident fund contributions. The company’s downfall has left its workforce in a precarious position.
The situation was exacerbated when a major government contract held by Defensor ended three months ago. The new service provider that took over, reportedly only absorbed 70% of Defensor’s staff, leaving a significant portion without jobs.
Among those affected is 49-year-old David Koopman. “We were given pay slips with our bonuses on and then we didn’t receive our bonus. In fact, Defensor still owes us a month salary,” Koopman said. “When the contract finished 3 months ago, we didn’t receive our UIF papers nor the provident fund papers. We are waiting for it so that I can claim UIF, my provident fund, so that I can live.”
The future of Defensor remains uncertain as the company is now under business rescue. A former employee, who wished to remain anonymous, described the situation as “nerve-wracking” and accused Northern Cape Premier Dr. Zamani Saul of going back on a promise.
“The premier he promised us he’s going to absorb everybody… but that is what [the new company] did to us, now 30% of us are sitting at home. The premier just lied he lied to us because the officials… they’ve got their favorites,” the employee claimed.
The call for the provincial government to insource security guards—making them direct government employees—has been a longstanding issue. In response, the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison stated it is still committed to the premier’s directive.
“We are committed to complete this process until every single person that work for a private company as security services are insourced and are fully government employees,” a department representative said. “We as a department has a phased approach and we will continue with that phased approach to insource securities.”
When contacted for comment, Defensor Security Services acknowledged it is aware that some officers have not been paid their wages, including provident fund contributions and bonuses. The company cited severe financial difficulties, stating it is “currently low on funds” but will pay former employees “as soon as money is available.”
For now, former employees like David Koopman are left waiting, caught between a company convicted of fraud and a promised government solution that has yet to fully materialize.
