Northern Cape Health Department defends extended security contract

SOTHOMBELA Security Services continues to provide services at public health facilities throughout the Northern Cape after its contract came to an end.

The company was awarded a R20 million contract over a 14-month period in May 2024.

The provincial Department of Health advertised a bid for the provision of a three-year contract for security services in June 2025.

EFF provincial chairperson Shadrack Tlhaole said the party had raised concerns over allegations that procurement processes were unlawfully flouted, citing non-compliance with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) during a legislature visit in November last year.

He called for a full-scale investigation into the awarding of the tender and for disciplinary steps to be taken to enforce consequence management.

Northern Cape Department of Health spokesperson Lebogang Majaha said the allegations levelled against the department regarding the awarding of the security services contract to Sothombela Security Services were “misleading and devoid of any truth”.

“The current security contract has not been cancelled. Furthermore, the appointment of the current service provider was not an issue based on the 2024/25 audit outcomes,” he said.

Majaha indicated that the department had requested an extension for the evaluation and adjudication process for the advertised security tender.

“At this point, the bid process is still under way and, as a result, no new service provider has been appointed,” Majaha said.