Police in KwaZulu-Natal are investigating a case of intimidation after a business forum group allegedly stormed the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) and ordered security guards to leave.
KwaZulu-Natal provincial police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said security members were allegedly threatened that they must leave the Umlazi campus on June 7.
“It is alleged that the armed suspect claimed he was representing the community members, whom he claimed no longer needed the security services at the university,” said Netshiunda.
He said the matter was being investigated by the Umlazi police station.
Sources at the university told TimesLIVE Premium the suspects are believed to be members of the Amdelangokubona business forum, who were against Servest Security providing security at the university.
They told the supervisor to alert all the guards to return to their posts and leave the university. We didn't have a choice, and we did as we were told.
— Guard
Servest Security began providing services at the university in September 2019.
However, soon after a local business forum allegedly gave the company an ultimatum to pay it a percentage of profits
According to the sources, this arrangement had been in existence until earlier this month when security guards were allegedly told their services were no longer needed and that only security personnel from the area would be allowed to work.
A security guard at the institution said on June 7, just after 5am, a group of heavily armed men approached the protection office and ordered them to vacate their posts immediately.
He said the men told them: “As we always told you that this day would come, this is the day, and we are taking over now, and this work is now ours.”
The armed business forum group deployed their personnel to guard the institution, apparently without the blessing of management, according to sources.
“They had a handful of security officers. They told the supervisor to alert all the guards to return to their posts and leave the university. We didn't have a choice, and we did as we were told. There was a meeting that day between the university, Servest and this group. The police were also there. Servest management came back and told us to go home. That was the last day we were at work and have been at home ever since,” said a guard.
The guard said even though Servest had promised to pay their salaries for this month, their future was uncertain.
In a meeting with workers this week, Servest allegedly told them the university had terminated the contract and would give them three months’ notice.
Servest didn't respond to media queries.
A source in the security industry questioned whether the guards installed by the business forum were qualified to protect staff and students.
“We wonder when and who verified the new guards' certificates, checked if they are qualified guards, or if they have enough guards to ensure the safety of students and property at all the posts.”
Thabani Mzulwini, Delangokubona Business Forum national chair, said the organisation could not comment on this matter as it was in the hands of the university management.
“The best person to speak to is MUT management,” said Mzulwini.
Mbali Mkhize, the MUT spokesperson, said the university was engaging both stakeholders and would provide feedback.
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