Corrupt security guard caught red-handed at labour centre

Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) commissioner opened case with the Soshanguve police against a security guard who asked him for a bribe.

Teboho Maruping, disguised as an ordinary citizen, was reconnoitering the local labour centre on Tuesday, December 6 for first hand knowledge on how it was running when a private-contractor security guard asked him for R400 to expedite his unemployment claim.

Maruping said when he arrived at the centre, the guard, unaware of who he was, indicated to him that the centre had stopped accepting claims for the year but if he paid R400, he could facilitate assistance from an employee inside.

Maruping allowed the entire process to unfold then reported the incident to the centre manager, who immediately instructed the inhouse security guards to remove the guard from the premises.

Maruping subsequently opened a criminal case against the guard at the Soshanguve police station.

Maruping condemned the practice of paying and taking bribes for government services that are free to citizens in the strongest terms.

“The UIF has a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption, extortion, bribery or any related criminal practices.

“All services of the UIF are free and should not be paid for. I am warning officials working at labour centres to desist from taking bribes to do what they are employed to do,” said Maruping.

He welcomed the removal of the guard and has vowed to cooperate with the police investigation.

He said he will continue to visit labour centres across the country to improve service delivery, and root out corrupt practices.

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