Retired top cop resurfaces at new parastatal
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday January 31, 2017 16:47
The Board was established by the Private Security Services Act of 2015, which is only now being implemented. Tsimako left the police service in July 2012 after taking charge in 2007.
He reached his retirement age of 60 years in 2010 before continuing on a contract basis until 2012.
Other Board members of the new organisation include deputy secretary at the Ministry of Justice, Defence and Security, Dimpho Mogami, retired Brigadier Nelson Modiko, attorney Abel Modimo, assistant commissioner of Police, Cynthia Setilo, Department of Labour representative Tshenolo Ratshosa, Gabriel Nkgetse and Harold Lee, Ivan Tim from Business Botswana and Security Officers Association representatives, Mpaphi Magezi and Wapiwa Simila.
Introducing the Board, Defence, Justice and Security permanent secretary Segakweng Tsiane said the new body would receive applications for the establishment of security companies and set standards in the industry.
“The Board will ensure compliance with minimum standards of training for security services providers and guards, set a code of conduct for private security service providers, ensure compliance with existing legislation by security service providers and protect the interests of users of security services,” she said.
Defence, Justice and Security minister, Shaw Kgathi said the delays in operationalising the new Board were due to constraints beyond Government’s control.
He said the Board and its supporting Act would deal harshly with those found in contravention.
“It has come to our attention that some of these registered companies do not provide identity cards to their employees, whilst others continue to employ security guards who are not vetted for criminal records. “Some do not provide full uniform and equipment to their employees, simply because the old Act was silent on uniform.
The new Act has a provision for that,” he said. Kgathi said the Act would empower the Board to terminate licences for those who contravene the Employment Act and deny employees their dues “while they live a lavish life”.
He slammed Government departments for contributing to non-payment of wages to employees.
“Local authorities such as councils, Land Boards and schools in the districts have a tendency of awarding contracts to lowest bidders, without considering whether the bid is practical and realistic, taking into account the specified guard rates.
Eventually, the successful bidder is often unable to pay employees,” he said.
Although the private security services providers welcomed the new Act, some questioned the inclusion of their business rivals in the Board. However, Tsiane assured them that there was no room for conflict of interest as there are measures in place to ensure transparency.
The new Act states that convicts will not be allowed to become security guards.
In addition, security guards will now have to be certified with a Botswana Qualifications Authority-accredited course which Tsimako and team are expected to come up with.