Security companies urged to employ active staff
Ivy Matlho | Friday October 23, 2015 16:27
Speaking during a Kgotla meeting at Botshabelo ward on Wednesday, Molefhi said that security companies should employ people who are still active. He said that employing active people is important, as they will be able to do their work properly.
“Some security companies employ old people who cannot afford to work especially night shifts because they end up sleeping during working hours,” he said. Molefhi said that this alone puts their clients in danger because anything can happen while the guard is still fast asleep. He stated that the standard of security guards should also be high to ensure that they do not put their clients in danger. He suggested that security guards undergo thorough training since the nature of their work requires special skills.
“Security guards just like police officers should also go through training so that they acquire skills on how to carry out their duties,” he said. He also said that the government has come up with a Security Bill that will ensure that security companies follow certain standards required in protection services.
“A Security Bill is important because it is going to guide security companies on how to provide their services in a proper way,” he said.
Molefhi said government is also concerned about some of the security companies that ill-treat their staff adding that there are many cases involving employers not paying their employees in time, whilst others do not pay at all. He stated that some security companies do not even know whether their employees have criminal records or not.
“Because these companies just hire anyone they see in the street they do not even know whether they have employed a criminal or not,” he said, adding that they must consult the Botswana Police Services for fingerprints of their employees.
One of the residents, Kelapile Keitshokile, also said that it is important for security companies to be monitored alleging that most of the companies exploit employees.
“This issue of security companies is a concern, most of these companies take advantage of their employees. It is sad that security guards are exposed to danger but their employers take them for granted,” he said. He said that the government should also instruct security companies to bring the number of their employees as well as disclose their salaries.