Tshwane Metro Police chief, Commissioner Yolande Faro has warned that private security firms might sabotage her leadership after she cut the budget.
Image: Kamogelo Moichela / IOL News
Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) chief Yolande Faro said she expected backlash and possible sabotage from private security companies after the city cut their services budget.
Testifying at the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday, Faro said the budget covers security for critical municipal infrastructure and has been flagged as prone to abuse.
The commission heard that contracts were often awarded to politically connected individuals, costing the city millions.
Two systems are in focus: fixed security deployments and ad-hoc services.
The ad-hoc model, used during emergencies, allows companies to be called in without fixed contracts, leading to large, often unchecked invoices.
Faro said this system has been widely abused and was a key reason for the cuts.
“We are aware that people can create a situation, sabotage. Let us call it sabotage,” she said.
“We expect a backlash. People are not going to say, ‘it’s fine’”, she stated that they have already put measures in place, especially with the reduction.
She said the city has put measures in place to manage potential disruptions.
Faro confirmed Tshwane plans to reduce reliance on private security and build its own internal capacity.
However, she warned that the transition will take time, estimating it could take up to six years to fully implement.
“It will take time but we will get there,” she said.
She is expected to continue her testimony on Wednesday.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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