BY LINDELWA MYENI
MBABANE – Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi has called for more sustainable government security contracts, saying longer and better-structured arrangements could give companies enough time to recover operational costs and maintain reliable services.
Buthelezi said some government security contracts run for only six months, creating challenges for companies that have to meet significant costs when taking over a contract.
The Minister was speaking on The Kingdom Online Network’s Public Insight Reloaded podcast, where he highlighted the financial pressures faced by security companies operating under short government contracts.
He said companies incur costs such as purchasing uniforms for employees and arranging transport to take workers to their assigned sites at the beginning of contracts.
According to Buthelezi, the short contract periods can make it difficult for companies to recover these expenses before their contracts expire and another security company is appointed.
He said this frequent rotation can place additional financial pressure on companies, particularly when combined with delays in receiving payments from government.
“We know that with government, when you get a tender today, you may get paid three to four months down the line,” Buthelezi said.
The Minister said delayed payments can make it harder for companies to manage their operations and meet their responsibilities while delivering services under government contracts.
Buthelezi said government should therefore consider arrangements that give service providers sufficient time to operate sustainably and recover legitimate costs incurred in delivering services.
He said more sustainable contract arrangements could support continuity in service delivery while creating better conditions for companies to meet their obligations to employees.
The Minister’s remarks highlight the importance of considering contract duration and payment timelines when government engages private security companies to provide services.
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