The Tshwane metro is scaling back its reliance on outsourced security services after the council approved R36m to recruit and deploy 100 permanent municipal security guards as part of efforts to strengthen internal capacity and better protect public assets, reports Pretoria Rekord.

The move forms part of the metro’s approved 2026/27 budget and the multiparty coalition government’s broader strategy to improve accountability, strengthen municipal security operations and reduce dependence on external service providers.

The approved budget cuts spending on outsourced watchman services by R140m. Of this amount, R104m was redirected during the draft budget process to the Real Time Crime Control Centre (RTCCC) and the Asset Protection Unit (APU), while a further R36m was approved during the final budget process to fund the recruitment of additional security personnel.

“As part of this approach, the city is investing in its APU and the RTCCC while also recruiting 100 municipal security guards to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure, municipal facilities and public assets,” Mgobozi said.

He added that Mayor Nasiphi Moya proposed the additional R36m reduction in outsourced watchman expenditure during the budget debate and vote on May 28, subsequently approved by the council.

Mgobozi said that the R36m allocation comprises R33.5m for employee-related costs, R750 000 for uniforms, R250 000 for consumables and R1.5m for firearms and communication radios.

Internal security drive

The 100 security guards will be permanently employed as part of the APU unit.

“As asset protection is a permanent municipal service, these positions are intended to provide long-term capacity within the city,” Mgobozi said.

He added that the officers will be deployed to safeguard critical municipal infrastructure, facilities and strategic assets identified through risk assessments and operational requirements.

The recruitment process is expected to begin during the 2026/27 financial year, which starts on July 1, with vacancies to be advertised through the city’s official recruitment channels.

While minimum qualifications and training requirements have not yet been announced, Mgobozi said these details would be communicated once the formal recruitment process is approved.

Metro creating opportunities

Mgobozi said the metro remains committed to creating opportunities for residents while ensuring compliance with labour legislation, employment equity requirements and municipal recruitment policies.

He said the shift towards building internal security capacity is not new, noting that the council approved the phased implementation of an in-house asset protection service in 2019.

“While the programme was not fully implemented, asset protection remains a permanent municipal function. The city is therefore continuing to build internal capacity rather than relying exclusively on outsourced security services,” he said.

He said future funding for the programme would be considered through the city’s annual budget and medium-term revenue and expenditure framework processes.

The announcement comes amid growing scrutiny of municipal recruitment processes in Tshwane.

Separately, a group of residents who applied for positions within the Tshwane Metro Police Department recently protested outside Tshwane House, demanding transparency and fairness in the recruitment process.

The applicants claim they completed the first two phases of the recruitment process last year but have since received no feedback, despite numerous attempts to obtain updates.

The group is calling for the recruitment process to be halted until all outstanding applications have been finalised and applicants are provided with clear communication regarding the status of their applications.

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