KNYSNA NEWS - The R127 800 that Knysna Municipality paid to security contractor Mlindazwe Investments was "exorbitant and even irregular", according to John Alexander, a specialist Cape Town security practitioner who operates Royal Investigations SA.

Alexander has raised questions about the legal responsibilities of both the municipality and Mlindazwe Investments in terms of the the Private Security Industry Regulation Act, 2001 (Act No. 56 of 2001). 

The quotation submitted by Mlindazwe Investments to the municipality states that a "risk assessment" would be conducted.

"This is problematic given that a risk assessment can only be conducted by a company that is registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira)," said Alexander. 

Alexander pointed out that in terms of section 38(3)(g) of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act, consumers who "knowingly or without exercise of reasonable care contract for the rendering of services contrary to the Act, are guilty of a criminal offence".

"The Act therefore places an explicit legal onus on the consumer," said Alexander, who as lead investigator successfully cracked an inter-continental online "romance" scamming syndicate that used Facebook to lure its victims, originally aired on Carte Blanche.

Alexander added, "The Knysna Municipality had an obligation to ensure the service provider was in good standing with the necessary regulatory authority before the tender was awarded.

"If this tender had gone through the regular process, this company would not have been considered as a suitable candidate."

Further, according to Psira, "Mlindazwe Investments Pty Ltd" is not registered with their governing body, "which constitutes a criminal offence", said Alexander. A search of the private portal of Psira also revealed that Bandile Mlindazwe does not appear on the database of registered practitioners.

Bandile Mlindazwe, in follow-up questions by KPH about the Private Security Industry Regulation Act, 2001 (Act No. 56 of 2001), responded in a WhatsApp message on 5 January: 

"It is so unfortunate that you have crossed the line now! Firstly you have obtained my personal cellphone number and email without my permission against POPIA now you demand my company information, that very negligence for your profession, get your act right. I won't entertain your narrative! F**off! Who do you think you are!!?"

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