By NAKUBIANA MUMBUNA –
THE Ministry of Home Affairs has advised security firms to engage it in the screening of security guards during recruitment exercises to prevent high crime rate involving security guards.
This follows the arrest of a 24-year-old guard from Group 4 Security firm in Lusaka arrested last month in connection with theft of more than K120, 000 and US $200 at the Road Development Agency (RDA) offices.
Earlier this year, three security guards of Group 4 Security were arrested in connection with the theft of an undisclosed amount of money.
Home Affairs spokesperson Moses Siwali said involving the Ministry of Home Affairs in the screening process during recruitment would help detect criminals before they are employed.
“Scrutiny if the Ministry is involved includes taking finger prints to establish if those seeking employment have any criminal history,” he said.
Mr Siwali explained that the situation where some security firms where employing people without prior knowledge of their history was dangerous, more so in security firms.
The G4 security guard who was arrested in connection with the RDA theft had gone into hiding and was only arrested in Western Province.
A total of K7,000 had been recovered from the security Guard at the time of the arrested.
Mr Siwali further explained that the Ministry of Home Affairs if engaged could also help security firms in training their security guards.
“Our mandate is to maintain law and order in the country and so if they need to engage us in their recruitment exercise we shall provide the services,” he said.
He stated that engaging the Ministry of Home Affairs in the recruitment exercise would also help instill confidence in security firms.