...guard disappears with firearm
Dar es Salaam
Most institutions, including some families with financial muscle are now
hiring security firms to protect them and their property, complementing the job
ordinarily assigned to the police force.
But the question that most Tanzanians must be asking is whether individuals hired or employed by these security firms are qualified as we are made to believe, just because they put in uniforms and hold firearms?
A recent incident at Access Bank Temeke Branch whereby a security guard with Security Group Company disappeared with a firearm while on duty at the bank branch is a good example to argue the case.
The disappearance of both the security guard and the firearm have raised eyebrows of colleagues at the firm, as they mostly believe that on the material night, the man fell asleep and unknown individuals took the weapons off his hands and disappeared with it.
Reliable sources have told The Guardian that the security guard identified as Selemani Bakari fell asleep on March 24 while on duty together with another security guard identified as Paulo Fidelis.
Confirming the incident, Acting Temeke Regional Police Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sebastian Zakaria, said that the incident occurred on Monday March 24 at 04.00 am and reported at Chang’ombe Police Station at 10.46 am.
According to ACP Zakaria, the matter was reported at the station by Security Group Operations Officer, Pastory Masini who insisted that the security guard disappeared with the firearm.
ACP Zakaria explained that police were holding Paulo Fidelis in connection with the incident and that a police file RB No. CH/RB/2654/2014 was opened regarding the weapon. Investigations are still going on, as far as the incident is concerned.
According to ACP Zakaria the weapon that went missing was a shotgun with serial number 007725112. He also ordered the security firm to present to police the employment contract between the company and the disappeared security guard to show how and when they employed him.
ACP Zakaria again spoke to this newspaper yesterday, saying the security guard who disappeared was still at large and that the firearm was yet to be recovered.
When asked yesterday if Security Group (T) Limited officials had submitted the contract between the firm and the security guard who disappeared he simply said: “I am not aware if the contract has been handed over to the police.”
But information that the Guardian on Sunday has received states that Security Group (T) Limited has been using guards from local firms such as GPS Security Company to provide services to areas or clients who would otherwise require professionally trained security guards.
Some individuals who preferred anonymity but claimed to be working for GPS Security told the Guardian on Sunday that they were often being hired by Security Group (T) Limited to guard some sensitive offices, including those of international organizations, diplomatic missions and banks.
They claimed they were being hired to work for Security Group (T) Limited to reduce expenses for the firm (Security Group (T) Limited) as they were lowly paid.
As most of them belonged to another security firm (GPS Security firm) they believe that working for Security Group (T) Limited on a part time basis created loopholes for the firm to avoid taxes and other obligations.
When The Guardian On Sunday sought a word from Security Group (T) Limited official Erick Sambu he said it was not true that the weapon went missing. “It would be better if you talk to GPS Security Company people because I believe they have it (weapon).”
“It should be noted that Security Group (T) Limited is not an international firm…it is a locally registered company.
We as a security firm operate in consonance with labor laws and I believe GPS Security Company operates in line with labor laws as well,” he said.
Sambu admitted that upon receiving extra tenders from clients they too seek help from other security firms. Speaking about handling weapons, he said guards were asked to adduce evidence to prove their competence gained from relevant training.
The Guardian on Sunday could not establish links with GPS Security firm to get their side of the story
But the question that most Tanzanians must be asking is whether individuals hired or employed by these security firms are qualified as we are made to believe, just because they put in uniforms and hold firearms?
A recent incident at Access Bank Temeke Branch whereby a security guard with Security Group Company disappeared with a firearm while on duty at the bank branch is a good example to argue the case.
The disappearance of both the security guard and the firearm have raised eyebrows of colleagues at the firm, as they mostly believe that on the material night, the man fell asleep and unknown individuals took the weapons off his hands and disappeared with it.
Reliable sources have told The Guardian that the security guard identified as Selemani Bakari fell asleep on March 24 while on duty together with another security guard identified as Paulo Fidelis.
Confirming the incident, Acting Temeke Regional Police Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sebastian Zakaria, said that the incident occurred on Monday March 24 at 04.00 am and reported at Chang’ombe Police Station at 10.46 am.
According to ACP Zakaria, the matter was reported at the station by Security Group Operations Officer, Pastory Masini who insisted that the security guard disappeared with the firearm.
ACP Zakaria explained that police were holding Paulo Fidelis in connection with the incident and that a police file RB No. CH/RB/2654/2014 was opened regarding the weapon. Investigations are still going on, as far as the incident is concerned.
According to ACP Zakaria the weapon that went missing was a shotgun with serial number 007725112. He also ordered the security firm to present to police the employment contract between the company and the disappeared security guard to show how and when they employed him.
ACP Zakaria again spoke to this newspaper yesterday, saying the security guard who disappeared was still at large and that the firearm was yet to be recovered.
When asked yesterday if Security Group (T) Limited officials had submitted the contract between the firm and the security guard who disappeared he simply said: “I am not aware if the contract has been handed over to the police.”
But information that the Guardian on Sunday has received states that Security Group (T) Limited has been using guards from local firms such as GPS Security Company to provide services to areas or clients who would otherwise require professionally trained security guards.
Some individuals who preferred anonymity but claimed to be working for GPS Security told the Guardian on Sunday that they were often being hired by Security Group (T) Limited to guard some sensitive offices, including those of international organizations, diplomatic missions and banks.
They claimed they were being hired to work for Security Group (T) Limited to reduce expenses for the firm (Security Group (T) Limited) as they were lowly paid.
As most of them belonged to another security firm (GPS Security firm) they believe that working for Security Group (T) Limited on a part time basis created loopholes for the firm to avoid taxes and other obligations.
When The Guardian On Sunday sought a word from Security Group (T) Limited official Erick Sambu he said it was not true that the weapon went missing. “It would be better if you talk to GPS Security Company people because I believe they have it (weapon).”
“It should be noted that Security Group (T) Limited is not an international firm…it is a locally registered company.
We as a security firm operate in consonance with labor laws and I believe GPS Security Company operates in line with labor laws as well,” he said.
Sambu admitted that upon receiving extra tenders from clients they too seek help from other security firms. Speaking about handling weapons, he said guards were asked to adduce evidence to prove their competence gained from relevant training.
The Guardian on Sunday could not establish links with GPS Security firm to get their side of the story
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
No comments:
Post a Comment