The Mpumalanga Department of Safety, Security and Liaison has replaced the security companies responsible for safeguarding the Middleburg and Witbank Hospitals with immediate effect.
The decision was taken after the department considered the safety of employees and patients at the hospitals. The recent security breach that resulted in the murder of a medical practitioner at the Middleburg Hospital contributed to the termination of the contract with the service providers.
After the murder incident, the two departments, Safety, Security and Liaison and Health, led by MEC Vusi Shongwe and MEC Dikeledi Mahlangu respectively, met with the management of the Middelburg Hospital and also visited the Witbank Hospital and identified breaches of the standing contract signed between the parties, hence the replacement of these companies.
Among others, the delegation found that the security companies short-posted security guards; hence they (guards) were not sufficient to safeguard the hospital. The guards also did not have necessary equipment that were required for them to perform their duties effectively.
Subsequent to the visit, the Department of Safety, Security and Liaison developed a security plan which will be implemented in phases and other security projects will be implemented in a long term because they involve planning with other stakeholders.
The number of security guards will be increased, scanners and metal detectors which will assist in checking people who enter health facilities in the province will be purchased and installed at all hospitals in the province.
This will then enable the department to move towards the use of sophisticated technological devices to enhance security in hospitals.
“An assessment which is currently underway at hospitals will also give a prescription of the appropriate equipments and gadgets to be used by security guards and also security structural modifications will be done to ensure that hospitals are secured,” said Mr Thulani Sibuyi, head of the Department of Safety, Security and Liaison in Mpumalanga.
He said that the assessment will focus on all hospitals and health facilities to ascertain if there was adequate security and efficient resources at all hospitals or not.
This exercise will assist the department to come up with a security master plan which will be a guideline in securing all government institutions in the province.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell:082 678 1450
E-mail: emabuza@mpg.gov.za
Source: Mpumalanga Department of Safety, Security and Liaison
