R2m for bouncers to guard council

R2M: SECOND SECURITY FIRM COMES AFTER DISRUPTIONS AT MEETINGS

A Limpopo municipality has been slammed for appointing a second security company for meetings.

Desperate service providers turn violent in bid to get municipality to cough up on unpaid invoices.

ALimpopo local municipality has been criticised for appointing a second security company after a spate of attacks and disruptions of council meetings in recent weeks.

The Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality in the Mopani region has appointed a security company that uses bouncers to try and stop the ongoing disruptions.

The company was appointed last week at a cost of R700 000. to provide a high-level security at the municipal offices for a period of a month.

The municipality has another security company providing thatservice already.

According to the municipal records, the company forks over nearly R1 million a month for this service.

“This municipality is currently paying two salaries, for NBS and Ulwazi. Two salaries of nearly R2 million a month.

“This is in spite of the fact that Tzaneen faces a backlog of basic services,” said an angry councillor from the municipality, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.

“Between this and last week, our municipality has been attacked thrice by unruly people, said municipal spokesperson, Nevil Ndlala last week.

He said the appointment was made after council sittings turned into boxing matches.

“That is why the municipality saw a need to appoint another company to restore peace during our meetings and within our