The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has expressed outrage over what it describes as the egregious failure of Venus Security to pay its employees, some of whom have not seen a salary since February this year. This alarming situation is affecting security workers stationed at critical locations, including Bram Fischer Airport in Bloemfontein, Upington International Airport, Kathu Airport, and Kimberley Airport.
Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola conveyed the union’s deep concern regarding the plight of these workers, emphasising the severity of their financial distress. “The issue of non-payment or late payment has been ongoing with impunity,” Hlubi-Majola said, calling the reasons given by the security company’s management “feeble and unfortunate.”
Hlubi-Majola raised eyebrows over the decision to award Venus Security a tender despite its failure to meet essential requirements, including the submission of requisite documents. “Numsa asks itself why the company in question was allocated this tender when key documents are not presented,” she stated, questioning the criteria used in the selection process for service providers.
“During a meeting with Mr. Moeketsi Sempe from ACSA (Airports Company South Africa), he confirmed on record that they did not pay Venus Security because Venus doesn’t have a BBBEE certificate, CSD, and it also does not have a tax certificate,” explained Hlubi-Majola.
This raises pressing questions about accountability and the integrity of the processes involved in the selection of service providers within the aviation industry.