The Department of Justice, recognising Bosasa's 19 year record in risk management, has awarded them 38% of a major security tender. They are one of the two main contractors. This tender, with a footprint in all nine provinces has the sobering responsibility of protecting DOJ's assets: officials, citizens, structures and sensitive documents.
Though shared with three other vendors, Pretoria, the administrative capital of the country has been awarded to Bosasa. It is here that some of the most famous trials in our history have taken place. Did you know that more than a million people pass through the doors of Dept of Justice daily? It is here that notable and preventable attacks have been made on the security of the Dept. of Justice buildings and people. Honourable judges and magistrates who dispense their wisdom and justice have suffered attacks on their person, with the hope of unsettling them emotionally to disrupt trials. They guard us, says Joe Gumede taking risks in the public interests every day. Now Bosasa can guard them. These attacks cannot and will not happen again under Bosasa's risk management strategy.
Research done on the nature of Dept of Justice office bearers worldwide is not new. Year after year, apart from a State President as national leader, judges and magistrates have been named as the most revered members of our society. No second guessing here. They are the custodians of justice and our universal sense of safety, security and belonging to a country. Did you know that South Africa has 206 judges and 1900 magistrates requiring our protection? And we are one of the few countries in the world where all ethnic groups and both genders are democratically represented.
"Bosasa has always been both a leading and pioneering company in the security field" shares Bosasa's risk management chief, Joe Gumede. "With the bar now raised to professional status, it is called specialised risk management. The scope of the total project includes 706 courts. Bosasa has been allocated 273 sites. We are also one of the four Companies with national key point accreditation. With crime syndication and terrorism on the rise worldwide, this is an accolade of note".
Supporting the national employment drive, Bosasa has employed 2500 people. Only highly trained professional staff have been targeted by our HR Department. Personnel were recruited from local communities in each province. Matric and an appropriate genuine PSIRA registration for each candidate were not negotiable. Recruits have also been required to be members of the Pan African Council for Surveillance Technologists or PACST. This is a sophisticated accrediting body which regulates standards in advanced surveillance. Membership is strictly controlled and limited to those who exhibit the highest standards in their work. A history of surveillance is essential. Bosasa as an approved registered body with PACST has provided the additional training for their staff if and when necessary as required for this very high level surveillance. The new Advisory Board has set standards specifically customised to DOJ requirements.
Sondolo IT has been playing a significant role with its unique technology offering. Apart from Pretoria as a major site, Johannesburg and Soweto are included. Sondolo IT has provided electronic security directly rather than through third party distribution, which has improved speedy response to events and the safeguarding of assets. Overall security has been tightened up as never before. Equipment includes metal detectors, x-ray machines, normal communications, CCTV cameras of high resolution and access control systems.
Within three weeks, the project was rolled out on sites. Head office remained at Bosasa but a competent direct line regional office has a presence in each of the provinces.
Joe Gumede Bosasa
