11 Feb 2014

The supervision and coordination of the duties of private security companies in councils is performed by both the administration and bye-law enforcement division.

The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso told Parliament on February 10 that supervision of security services was done by the bye- law enforcement division in 12 councils while in other councils, it was done by the administration division.

Ms Tshireletso indicated that the nature of work in administration departments dictated that officers should work the normal working day: 730pm to 430pm from Monday to Friday.

She said during the normal working day, the supervision of private security companies lied with the administration as it was convenient to do so. The assistant minister said uring the night, supervision was assigned to bye-law enforcement officers who undertook spot checks and routine night patrols.

Ms Tshireletso said this was done in the spirit of resource rationalisation and optimisation. She noted that the assignment of bye-law enforcement officers to supervise private security companies did not hamper their duties and mandate. Rather, she said, it enhanced their job and reduced costs associated with duplication of duties.

The assistant minister was responding to a question from the Member of Parliament for Kgalagadi North, Mr Philip Khwae who had asked the minister to state which department in councils was responsible for supervision and coordination of the duties of private security companies.

MP Khwae also wanted to know why the supervision of security services was done by bye- Law division in some councils while in others it was done by the administration department. He asked whether this did not hamper the duties and mandate of bye- law enforcement officers. ENDS