The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) is taking to the streets once again — this time to the National Treasury in Pretoria — to demand that government terminate contracts with private security companies accused of defrauding workers.
The march, scheduled for Friday, is part of Numsa’s ongoing campaign to expose and challenge what it describes as “widespread and systematic exploitation” in the private security industry.
Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said it was a disgrace that security guards — some of the lowest-paid workers in the country — are forced to march for what is lawfully and rightfully theirs.
“These workers are being robbed in broad daylight. Employers are deducting money for medical insurance and pension funds, yet the funds are never paid over to the service providers,” Hlubi-Majola said.
The result, she added, is devastating for workers and their families. “When they go to claim medical benefits or retirement savings, they discover there are no funds or insufficient funds available. This is pure theft, and government cannot continue doing business with such companies.”
Numsa said it is targeting the National Treasury because it has the authority to revoke contracts and blacklist companies that fail to comply with labour and financial regulations.
“There are many security companies violating the collective agreements set by the National Bargaining Council for the Private Security Sector. Treasury has the power to act, but so far, we have not seen meaningful intervention,” Hlubi-Majola said.
Numsa will hand over a detailed memorandum outlining its demands, including calls for tighter enforcement of compliance standards, harsher penalties for offenders, and a commitment from Treasury to review all current security tenders.
Hlubi-Majola said Numsa stands in solidarity with security workers across the country who face exploitation and intimidation. “We will not stop until justice is served and workers receive the benefits they are owed. This march is not just for security workers — it’s for all working-class South Africans who deserve dignity and fairness.”
The union has called on all its members, allied organisations, and civil society groups to support the march and demand accountability from both government and the private sector.