Alfred Moselakgomo

Alfred Moselakgomo

The Pretoria high court has dismissed the case in which the Mpumalanga department of safety and security was accused of irregularly accepting a R50million security tender in the province.

The case was brought by seven disgruntled security companies who claimed that the department had unfairly awarded a three-year contract to undeserving companies.

The court dismissed the case, saying the allegations were baseless.

Now Kusile Africa Guards, Siyathuthuka, Siyophumelela, Sekwanele, True Witnesses, Khulanathi and Big Star security companies will have to pay legal costs after their case was thrown out.

The seven companies applied for an urgent interdict after the department awarded a contract for the provision of security services to government sites.

The application was brought on April 29 and the allocation of sites to the appointed security companies - which was to be effected on May 1 - was suspended.

"We've always maintained that the claims were baseless and unfounded and the court has confirmed that," said department spokesman Joseph Mabuza.

He urged the appointed security companies to return to work.

Premier Thabang Makwetla, safety and security MEC Fish Mahlalela, and Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula were among the respondents.