Mabotwane Security Guards Demand Unpaid Wages
Mabotwane Security guards wants their three months pay. (Sipplied)
by Kelebogile Matlou
Security guards employed by Mabotwane Security Company have accused the firm of failing to pay their wages during a six-month contract that ran from March to August 2025, leaving many of them financially crippled and uncertain about their future.
Workers told our InsideOutNews that they were promised monthly salaries on the second of each month, but instead endured months of irregular or missing paychecks.
On August 29, 2025, the guards escalated their grievances to the National Bargaining Council, which instructed them to wait 14 days for the company’s response. To date, however, they say they have heard nothing concrete.
One worker, who asked not to be named, said she joined the company as a reliever in March before being permanently stationed. She described long grueling hours, sometimes stranded in storms without relief.
“I expected stronger protection because we also defend the country’s assets. I worked full months and extra days, but the company still didn’t pay us,” she said.
Another guard, Klaas Makganye, said their contracts were cut short without explanation. “We signed a six-month contract, but the company stopped us from working in July without a termination letter. When I called the owner Kabelo Mqathi, to ask about payment he dropped the call, blocked me, and even removed me from the company WhatsApp group,” he said.
The unpaid salaries have devastated many families. Lesego Monnakgotla, a guard, said he has been unable to meet basic responsibilities. “I could not pay rent, my policies expired, and my daughter in varsity is suffering because I can not send money,” Monnakgotla explained.
Another worker said he endured three months without a salary before eventually receiving one payment only for the same problem to occur again soon afterward.
Several workers also complained of being left vulnerable while on duty. They allege that, despite not being paid they were ordered to continue working in hazardous conditions and even faced threats from rival security firms.
One guard said,“the National Bargaining Council needs to stand up for us and make sure Mabotwane and other private firms are held responsible. They mistreat employees and deprive us of our dignity.”
The workers are now urging the government to blacklist security firms that repeatedly exploit employees and breach contracts. They argue that without stricter regulation, companies will continue to profit at the expense of vulnerable workers.
At the time of publishing, our reporters attempted to contact Mqathi, the manager of Mabotwane Security Company, but he dropped the call and declined to discuss this pressing matter with InsideOutNews.
