Security Guards and Residents March Against Exploitation in Chris Hani District

Security guards and residents March to end exploitation and abuse by employers in Chris Hani District Municipality.

Concerned Chris Hani District residents and security guards marched to the Department of Labour and Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) offices to hand over petitions, voicing their anger over exploitation and violation of labour rights.

NO SALARY FOR MONTHS

The security guards have not received their salaries for months, and some were removed from their posts without notice.

The petition, handed over to the Department of Employment and Labour, highlights the ongoing exploitation, abuse, and violation of labour rights affecting security and cleaning workers employed under CHDM and its associated institutions. .

Handing over the petition to the department of employment and labour, Xola Njokweni said as community members, many of whom are former workers, current workers, or family
members of those working in these sectors, they have witnessed first-hand the brutality, exploitation, and ongoing injustice taking place.

GROUNDED IN THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

He said their intervention is grounded in their constitutional responsibility and collective duty as citizens.

“We note with deep disappointment that the department of employment and labour has
failed to protect the most vulnerable workers when they needed your protection the most,” he said.

Njokweni said workers continue to report, non-compliance with basic conditions of employment, companies operating without inspections, cleaning companies and security service providers exploiting employees by failing to pay minimum wage, UIF, provident fund and other benefits.

YOUR INACTION HAS ALLOWED EXPLOITATION

“Your inaction has allowed exploitation to flourish,” he said.

The group moved to CHDM offices where an official Sabatha Songci took the petition on behalf of executive mayor Lusanda Sizani who is attending an ANC National General Council in Gauteng.

Handing over the petition Vumile Fongo said they demand CHDM to ensure that all security personnel receive their full salaries by the 15th of December 2025, including backpay for all months in which payments were delayed or withheld.

“All companies rendering security and cleaning services must pay no less than the National Minimum Wage, as prescribed by law.

“Companies must comply with the Sectoral Determination/Government Gazette governing security and cleaning services, including all statutory obligations,” said Fongo.

He said all mandatory benefits must be provided, including UIF, Provident/Pension Fund, maternity leave, annual bonuses and any other benefits prescribed by law

PAY BACK THE MONEY!

Fongo said leave pay, bonuses and other monies due to these employees must be paid immediately.

“Reinstate all security personnel that were recently terminated without notice and make a
clear statement to the community if the district is insourcing these security activities for the public to formally apply as we have members with these qualifications,” added Fongo.

He said CHDM must provide full transparency regarding monthly payments made to these companies, as proof of whether the problem lies with the municipality or the service providers.

“We want to make it unequivocally clear that this petition is not an event for today only. We will follow up, set time frames, and monitor progress to ensure that these grievances are acted upon fully and correctly. On the 17 December 2025, at 10 am, prepare yourselves as we are coming back for a progress report and to set a clear plan to execute this crisis we are faced with,” he said.

THEY MUST SEEK TENDERS ELSEWHERE

Fongo said any company that refuses to comply with labour laws must be removed from the government supplier database immediately.

“They must seek tenders elsewhere where taxpayers’ money is not being abused and workers’ dignity is not violated,” he said.

Songci promised to handover the petition to the speaker Jongumzi Cengani and the mayor as soon as they come back to work.