171 Guards left jobless ...as security firms collapse over unpaid wages
Botswana faces a growing unemployment crisis as companies shut down due to financial mismanagement, underquoting to win contracts, and delayed client payments.
This week, Minister of State Moeti Mohwasa told Parliament that 15 security firms had their licenses revoked, leaving 171 guards jobless.
These workers must now seek redress through the Industrial Court, which can summon former employers.
Mohwasa was responding to Tati East MP Thabologo Furniture, who asked for details on companies that failed to pay wages, the reasons behind it, the number of affected employees, and the total amount owed.
“These are companies against which Settlement Agreements or Default Awards were issued but not honoured,” Mohwasa said.
He cited underquoting during tendering and delayed payments from procuring entities as key reasons. However, he mentioned that some firms still failed to pay wages even after receiving payments—pointing to mismanagement.
“This is unacceptable. My Ministry will continue to take serious action where the law has been broken,” he said.
Mohwasa confirmed that 171 employees were affected, with a total of P821,144 owed. He clarified that license cancellation does not dissolve companies, which remain legally accountable for their debts.
Labour disputes, including wage claims, are handled through negotiation, mediation, and the courts- not by the Private Security Services Licensing Board.
The Ministry has helped some workers by facilitating payment plans, but where directors default, licenses are suspended and ultimately cancelled.
“The Industrial Court remains empowered to recover funds from employers. The Private Security Services Act does not interfere with this process,” Mohwasa added.