The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) is outraged by the revelations and court findings confirming that Mafoko Security Patrol (Pty) Ltd has been deducting provident fund contributions from workers’ wages but failing to pay them into the Private Security Sector Provident Fund (PSSPF).
This is not a mistake. It is a deliberate act of theft and contempt for the law, a corporate crime committed against some of the most vulnerable and exploited workers in our country.
A NATIONAL SCANDAL
For years, thousands of Mafoko security guards have seen deductions on their payslips for provident fund contributions, money that was supposed to secure their future, support their families in retirement, or provide relief in the event of death or disability. Yet those funds never reached the provident fund. Instead, Mafoko pocketed them, embezzling workers’ savings while continuing to secure lucrative government and municipal contracts.
The Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator (PFA) has received hundreds of complaints from affected workers, and in several determinations found Mafoko in clear violation of Section 13A of the Pension Funds Act, which makes non-payment of contributions a criminal offence.
Even worse, the High Court in Garankuwa has dismissed Mafoko’s attempts to block enforcement, confirming that PFA determinations are civil judgments enforceable by law. Mafoko owes workers an estimated R111 million to R330 million in stolen contributions, a staggering amount that exposes the deep rot in the private security sector.
NO MORE SILENCE – NO MORE EXCUSES
SAFTU is disgusted that despite these court rulings, Mafoko continues to operate freely, still winning tenders, still exploiting workers, and still ignoring legal orders.
Where is the Department of Employment and Labour?
Where is the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)?
Where is the police investigation into these criminal offences?
This is wage theft on a national scale, and yet the perpetrators walk free while security guards, who risk their lives daily to protect property and people, are denied their own right to dignity and security in retirement.
SAFTU’S DEMANDS AND ACTIONS
1. Immediate criminal prosecution of Mafoko Security Patrol directors and executives for violating Section 13A of the Pension Funds Act.
2. Urgent enforcement of all outstanding PFA and High Court rulings, including the seizure of company assets to repay workers’ stolen contributions.
3. Blacklisting of Mafoko Security from all state and municipal tenders until full compliance and repayment are achieved.
4. A full forensic audit of the Private Security Sector Provident Fund to establish the total amount owed to Mafoko workers and all other security companies in similar violation.
5. National mobilisation in the security sector; SAFTU and its affiliates will organise meetings, pickets, and marches to demand justice for all affected workers.
A MESSAGE TO MAFOKO
SAFTU warns Mafoko Security Patrol: the era of impunity is over.
We will not allow you to steal from the working poor and hide behind lawyers and corrupt contracts. You have robbed workers of their future, and you will face the full force of the working class.
We will not stand by while workers retire into poverty because greedy employers looted their provident fund contributions. Mafoko’s executives must be held personally liable, their assets attached, and their contracts terminated.
A CALL TO ALL SECURITY WORKERS
We urge all security workers across South Africa, unionised or not, to rise against this systemic looting. Do not be intimidated. SAFTU will defend every worker who demands justice.
The struggle against wage theft, austerity, and corporate impunity is one struggle, and it begins with holding Mafoko accountable.
Workers built this country; we refuse to be robbed of our sweat, our dignity, and our future!
A Statement was issued on behalf of SAFTU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
For media inquiries, contact the National Spokesperson at
Newton Masuku at:
Newton@saftu.org.za
0661682157
Media Officer
Asive Dyani
0719019564
