06 Jun 2018

Angry Trium security guards on June 4 locked Boteti councillors and management inside the council premises.

The guards took the drastic measure after their employer allegedly failed to pay them their salaries for two months, which they said was a recurring issue.

They also said they had a case against their employer at the Industrial Court due to salary arrears which had not been paid.

They informed assistant council secretary, Mr Onthatile Molelu that they had been kicked out of their rented houses, and that the situation had incapacitated them to provide for their families.

Mr Molelu informed the security guards that the contract that the council had with Trium Security Services did not provide for third parties, adding that he could not force the client to pay the employees or take any action against the security company.

He, however, noted that the new contract that they would sign with the security company had a provision that allowed the council to take action against a client for failing to pay employees.

The security guards raised complaints ranging from unfair dismissals, delayed payments, failure to pay for sick leave and worn out uniforms.

They also claimed that they received assignments over the phone. They said the parade that should be staged before they reported for duty was not done as well as lack of consultation by supervisors.

However, Trium Security Services official, Mr Tshepo Nthoiwa said payment of the first batch of 76 employees had been done, adding that the second batch would be paid for the months of April and May as well as other arrears.

Mr Nthoiwa said employees were paid P75 for leave, and that when the tender comes to an end, they would be left with payment of severance benefits. Ends