​The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has implemented long-term security contracts to safeguard its facilities putting an end to historic month-to-month security arrangements.
As of 1 April 2024, 113 security companies appointed by the GDoH assumed duty at 37 hospitals, 370 clinics and institutions across the province to ensure the safety of patients and staff.
The long-term contracts are part of the commitment made by MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in March 2023 that GDoH will do away with temporary arrangements as this posed a risk to the Department. 
"The appointment of security companies on a long-term basis aligns with the Department's commitment to strengthen security measures across healthcare facilities in the province. 
"The previous reliance on month-to-month security contracts posed challenges in terms of stability and continuity, which have now been rectified through this new security arrangement," explains Thabiso Maluleke, GDoH's Director of Security.
As a result of this long-term contract, a total of 6 000 security officers are currently employed by the appointed companies of which 95% of them were absorbed from previous service providers.
In the meantime, The GDoH has moved to clarify misleading reports and claims, including viral videos that are circulating in the media regarding a group of protesting formers security personnel outside the central office building in Johannesburg. The former security officers were never employed by the Department.
They were previously employed by service providers whose month-to-month arrangement ended at the end of March 2024, and their employment was not directly linked to the Department. As such the Department cannot get itself involved in the recruitment processes of private companies.  However, GDoH has pleaded with the new security companies to consider those protesting for new employment opportunities. 
The GDoH has acknowledges the right of individuals to exercise their constitutional right to engage in public demonstrations. However, the Department condemns the manner in which the demonstrations have taken place, including acts of public indecency and hindering employees' access to the building. The protesting group should follow the right channels to raise their grievances.