OP rakes in thousands on fines of security companies

BAME PIET
Staff Writer | Friday September 24, 2010 00:00

Trails Ranger was fined P5,000 for failure to issue IDs, display a license, avail records for inspection, failure to issue employment cards, paying below stipulated minimum wage rate and failure to exhibit minimum wage notice.

Chief security officer at the Office of the President, Enerst Nthobelang, confirmed in a telephone interview that his teams travelled throughout the country carrying out inspections on security companies and fined offenders.

He further confirmed that Somolekae went to the OP to express his unhappiness with one of the fines he was facing, which he felt was not fair to his company.

'We explained everything to him and we told him there was no way we could assist him. He was satisfied with our explanation,' he said. Nthobelang added that those companies that fail to pay the fines within the stipulated time will face the wrath of the law.

The team managed to collect P138,000 from offending companies operating in Kanye (P2,500) Jwaneng (P12,800), Gantsi (P15,550), Maun (P16,900), Kasane, Francistown (P33,000), Selibe Phikwe (P24,000), Bobonong (P8,500), Orapa (P4,000), Letlhakane (P22,000), Serowe (P20,000), Palapye (P7,000), and Mahalapye (P15,000) during unexpected visits last month. The common offences are failure to display license, failure to avail records for inspection, failure to display minimum wage notice and failure to issue employment cards.

Among the major security companies that were found breaking the rules are Trojan and Security Systems, which were fined P3,000 each for different offences. Others are G4S, Shield, Security Services, Zebra, Jailbird and Wayguard Security.