Madlanga Commission reveals how implicated figures used security firms to wield immense power
Evidence before the Madlanga Commission illustrates how security companies have become shadow militia, used by criminals to access tenders and guns that they use to intimidate the opposition
The Madlanga Commission has exposed the pervasive influence of security firms in South Africa, revealing how implicated figures have weaponized these companies to amass immense power. The commission's findings highlight the financial scale of this criminal enterprise, with the Tshwane Metro Police Department alone receiving R2.9-billion in security-related tenders, many of which were granted to a limited number of companies through alleged tender manipulation.
One particularly egregious example is Gubis85 Solutions, which received R59.13-million for ad hoc services in a single year, alongside its standard monthly payments. The commission's testimony also uncovered instances of irregular tender allocations, with 40 additional sites assigned to Gubis85 between January and February 2025, each staffed by 24 security officers and supported by three patrol vehicles.
This systemic diversion of public resources has created a shadow state, where private militias equipped with more guns and influence than state police effectively control lucrative tenders, intimidate rivals, and operate beyond the reach of the law.
Brief written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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