By Nigel Pfunde
HARAR E– The director and owner of Strike Security Company only identified as Kaseke(most likely incognito ) has shown no remorse over the squalid living conditions he provides for his guards and erratic salary payments, even after one of his employees was brutally murdered during an armed robbery, a H-Metro investigation has revealed.
Kona Mandlenkosi, 27, was killed by armed robbers who struck him with crowbars at Hallingbury Primary School in Mabelreign last week. The same gang is suspected of raiding an orphanage in Westgate, stealing US$31,000 and ttacking four schools in Mabelreign, Westgate and Marlborough on the same night.
Despite the death of his guard in the line of duty, Kaseke expressed no grief over the loss of Mandlenkosi’s life, nor did he offer financial assistance to the grieving family.
Instead, he defended his company’s practices with a series of unrepentant statements.
Guards working for Strike Security live in tin shacks without ablution facilities at a property Kaseke owns in Mount Hampden. A H-Metro visit to the site found overcrowded shacks lacking basic necessities such as windows, conditions several guards described as “deplorable” and damaging to morale.
“I provided accommodation for our security guards at my residential stand,” Kaseke told H Metro describing the squalid tin huts as “free housing” and dismissing complaints.
Workers also claim they have gone months without pay, raising fears that desperate guards could turn rogue and collude with armed robbers who appear to have inside knowledge of where cash is kept.
Asked about salary arrears, Kaseke confirmed delays occur but showed no contrition. “As for their wages, you cannot pay them when the coffers are dry,” he said. He added that if his guards had not been paid for three months, “why were they still reporting for duty?”
When pressed on workers’ grievances, he refused to engage, saying: “Employees must not take their issues to media. They must come and meet us over their grievances, not through the media.”
A former Strike Security guard, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed he worked three months without a salary and was fired after raising the issue. “I worked for three months without salary, upon enquiring about it, I was sacked. They engage agencies who train security guards to replace anyone who demand his or her wages. Senior guards receive their wages on time except junior guards you are forced to beg for transport money.”
Kaseke operates from offices in Greencroft but houses guards at his residential stand in Mount Hampden. He declined to provide names of employees who had raised concerns.
Meanwhile, police have released a CCTV image of one suspected armed robber linked to the Mabelreign attacks, which have terrorised residents for weeks. Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed a gang of four is targeting churches, schools and private residences, with some cases involving sexual offences.
Investigations are ongoing. Police have urged the public to remain vigilant.
Story originally published by H Metro
