A security company contracted to a North West municipality armed its guards with toy guns to protect the municipality’s various water treatment plants, according to a report on Friday.
The Sowetan reports that Tshireletso Professional Services, which is contracted to the Matlosana Local Municipality, equipped its guards with paintball guns and were expected to confront criminals wielding real guns.
According to paper, R820,000 worth of property was stolen and destroyed under the company’s watch.
This was revealed in an audit report, which the newspaper has seen, titled Supply Chain Management-Contract Management. The report ran from July 2014 to the end of May this year.
The report found Tshireletso in breach of contract and recommended termination of the contract for “under/non performance.” However, the security company is still providing services. Tshireletso has been paid R25 million for its services over the past 22 months, the report reveals.
One of Tshireletso’s guards in Stilfontein told the paper that criminals sometimes come carrying real guns and the he has to climb up the tree to hide from them.
The municipality’s spokesman said the report is still to be "scrutinized" by the audit committee. Tshireletso refused to comment.
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