The Security Association of South Africa (SASA) has issued a stark warning that the long-running Mafoko Security Patrols scandal is no longer an isolated case of employer misconduct, but evidence of a systemic failure in South Africa’s regulatory and governance structures; one that continues to harm tens of thousands of security officers across the country.
officers across the country.
This follows years of court rulings, SIU findings, regulatory complaints, and media exposés revealing that Mafoko deducted provident fund contributions from security officers, but failed to pay them over to the Private Security Sector Provident Fund (PSSPF), in direct violation of Section 13A of the Pension Funds Act, says SASA spokesperson and national administrator, Tony Botes. He adds that, despite this, Mafoko continues to secure and retain major contracts, particularly within government and state-owned entities.
“This is not a paperwork issue. This is the large-scale theft of workers’ retirement money. We are dealing with a company that, for years, has deducted funds from security officers’ salaries and has not paid them over. It is not an administrative oversight; it is the unlawful withholding of workers’ benefits,” he explains. “And what is even more alarming is how many institutions — regulators, state entities, consumers and employers — have allowed this to continue. The system is failing the very people it is meant to protect.”
A long trail of misconduct — and little accountability
According to Botes, Mafoko Security Patrols has been implicated in a series of serious compliance breaches and irregularities, including:
High Court ruling: R151 million in unpaid contributions: In March 2025, the Johannesburg High Court (Case
Ignoring the Pension Funds Adjudicator: The court noted that Mafoko repeatedly ignored complaints lodged with the Pension Funds Adjudicator (PFA), failing to respond, engage, or resolve matters.
Fraudulent compliance certificate submitted to ACSA: In 2016, Mafoko submitted a fraudulent PSSPF compliance certificate to obtain an Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) licence. A High Court Judge described the case as “a stronger case of non-compliance and fraud” than any previously seen. Despite this, ACSA continued awarding Mafoko major contracts, including a R40 million purchase of substandard Explosive Trace Detection units in 2022.
PSIRA’s delayed and lenient response: Botes says SASA lodged a complaint with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) regarding the fraudulent certificate. “PSIRA acted only after being compelled by a High Court order. At the improper conduct enquiry, Mafoko and its director were found guilty, yet received a largely suspended sanction.”
SIU findings on irregular tenders: “The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) found that a R185 million SABC tender was irregularly awarded to Mafoko, despite another company being recommended,” Botes continues, adding that late last year, Mafoko and the Kungwini Amalgamated Workers Union (KAWU) concluded an unlawful arrangement allowing Mafoko to stop provident fund deductions at several sites.
A wider industry crisis
Botes says the Mafoko scandal is not an anomaly. “The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) regularly publishes a list of employers who deduct pension contributions, but fail to pay them over. As reported by MoneyWeb in December 2024, the private security sector tops the list of worst pension fund offenders.”
“Companies implicated in the Special Investigating Unit’s report on irregular PRASA tenders — including Royal Security, Chuma Security Services, Sechabo Protection Services, Vimtsire Protection Services, Moz Gold Trading (Ilanga Security), and Advanced Detachment Security Services — also appear on the FSCA’s non-compliance list. This is a pattern, and it is costing workers their futures,” he states.
“Provident funds are essential for the long-term financial security and well-being of security officers. For many, their provident fund is their only form of long-term financial security. When employers steal those contributions, they steal security officers' futures, and when regulators fail to act decisively, they become part of the problem.”
Government entities must answer
Despite years of non-compliance, fraud, and adverse court findings, Botes says that Mafoko continues to be awarded and retained as a service provider by major government institutions, including ACSA, JMPD, ESKOM, DCSSI, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, the City of Cape Town, several universities, and even the Government Pensions Administration Agency.
“How does a company with this poor track record continue to win government contracts?” he asks. “Either government entities are unaware, which is negligent, or they are aware and choose to ignore it, which is far worse. We need answers.”
Botes says SASA is calling on:
1. PSIRA, the National Bargaining Council, and the PSSPF to intensify enforcement and act decisively against persistent non-compliance.
2. Government institutions and SOEs to conduct immediate compliance audits of all private security service providers.
3. Businesses and consumers of private security services to verify compliance with the Main Collective Agreement of the National Bargaining Council for the Private Security Sector, including working hours, premium payments, and statutory benefits such as provident fund and medical insurance contributions.
SASA’s commitment
“SASA will continue to champion ethical conduct, lawful compliance, and the protection of security officers’ rights,” says Botes. “The Association remains committed to professionalising the industry and ensuring that workers receive the benefits to which they are legally entitled.”
For more information, contact Tony Botes, SASA National Administrator,
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