ActionSA calls for insourcing of Transnet security guards after Fidelity allegedly fired more than 200 of them

29 August 2023

ActionSA will formally write to both Transnet and Fidelity calling for the insourcing of all security guards after they are both alleged to have terminated the employment of more than 200 security guards some of whom had been employed there for 10 years and more.

Fidelity was awarded the contract at Transnet and is alleged to have fired all the employees that were employed by the previous security company and brought new employees from other provinces to work in the area of Makoko Mpumalanga.

Yesterday we met with Transnet leadership, Chief Mdluli of Makoko Tribal Authority and the erstwhile security guards in order to facilitate their reinstatement to their positions.

Transnet’s delegation listened to our issues and promised to respond to ActionSA, Chief Mdluli and the security guards soon after consultation with their Executive Management. We look forward to their responses in due course.

The most concerning fact is that these security officers have been working without any other benefits such as medical aid, and other related benefits. This cannot be in a democratic dispensation with a labour law regime that is supposed to protect workers from exploitation.

It is scenarios such as these that demonstrate now more than ever that insourcing is the best solution in order to cut out the middleman who are usually tenderpreneurs linked to the Tripartite Alliance.

ActionSA will continue to fight for the rights of those who have been exploited and marginalized by a government that does not care about the very people they claim to fight for.

ActionSA will also continue to agitate for the insourcing of security guards and cleaners across all government departments and all public entities across the country.

Issued by Thoko Mashiane, ActionSA Mpumalanga Provincial Chairperson, 29 August 2023