Durban - Yet another eThekwini municipal tender has come under scrutiny after a “security and tourism” company provided R1.6 million worth of protective riot gear for the metro police public order unit.
Metro officers are complaining that the gear is oversized and restricts their movement, especially at the crotch. They are also questioning the quality of the material, saying it does not meet specifications.
Durban-based Intense Protection and Tourist Services was awarded a section 32 contract for the “supply and delivery of security equipment - non lethal weapons and crowd control equipment”. The gear is essential for the unit as it tackles an increasing number of violent protests sweeping the eThekwini metro before the August 3 local government elections.
Disgruntled police are refusing to don the gear.
City spokeswoman Tozi Mthethwa confirmed that the acquired gear had defects but said the municipality was “satisfied with the quality of the goods supplied”.
“It’s too large; members can’t move in this thing. They are refusing to take the gear,” a constable complained.
A breakdown of the contract indicates metro police requirements: Rappel gloves (R184 000); riot forearm and leg protector (R300 000); riot control groin protector (R110 000); helmets (R136 000); upper body riot protection (R360 000); heavy hood with kevlar R160 000; and riot control shield (R399 000).
The quantity was 200 per requirement.
Approached for comment, metro police operations head Steve Middleton - who is responsible for the unit’s crowd management - said he was aware of the matter, which was being addressed by the “relevant role-players”.
He referred further queries to the city’s communications unit.
Metro police sources said city officers were enraged that the contract had been awarded to “a security and tourism company”.
“Members are highly unhappy.”
Mthethwa emphasised that the section 32 procurement process was legal. Section 32 is used when services are procured using a contract secured by another organ of state.
“This tender was awarded to the service provider by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa on September 3, 2014. However, the section 32 contract was awarded on April 28, 2016,” she said.
Mthethwa said the city was addressing the matter of the unhappiness among metro police.
“This was addressed with the supplier and an agreement was reached to modify the gear in question for no charge. A majority of the members who had reported incorrect sizes have handed in their gear for modification.”
In June last year the metro police used a similar procurement process to buy R5.5 million worth of firearms. Exactly a year later, the guns have still not been delivered, The Mercury understands.
Commenting on this in April, Mthethwa said an order had been placed with the companies appointed and stock was expected “soon”.
Intense Protection and Tourist Services owner, MG Nala had not responded to a request for comment e-mailed to an address on his companies’ website at the time of publication. Attempts to reach him by telephone were also unsuccessful.
According to the MGN Group’s website (Intense Protection is a subsidiary), the company “specialises in Guarding/Asset Protection and VIP Protection/Executive Security, CCTV, access control systems, private investigations”. It also sells security equipment such as armoured vehicles and bulletproof vests.
The Mercury