Jaspreet Kindra
A security company is advertising the fact that it protects the South African president’s house.
In a pamphlet that was distributed on Johannesburg streets this week, Chubb Armed Response/BBR Security states: “We protect the residence of our president and most corporate businesses in SA.”
The pamphlet lists the fact that it provides security to President Thabo Mbeki’s home as one of “10 good reasons” for the Chubb/BBR merger.
The Department of Public Works, which is responsible for contracting out security for the president’s residences, says it does not allow private companies to use their contracts in advertisements.
Department spokesperson Lucky Mochalibani says: “If any company has advertised this fact it has done so without our knowledge and without our consent.”
Several attempts were made to get comment from Chubb’s managing director Mike Frinkel but the Mail & Guardian was finally told he was not available.
However, when a phone call was made to Chubb as a potential customer, a salesman confirmed that the pamphlet was referring to the president’s homes in Pretoria and Cape Town.
Last year Mbeki’s house in Cape Town was broken into by a man who lived there for four days. The plans for his home were also made public.