Four protectors attached to the Mkhambathini Local Municipality have been arrested this week.
KZN police, through its Crime Intelligence structures, discovered the men were using firearms not registered to the municipality to carry out their duties.
This included providing close protection to the mayor and other senior officials.
Investigations have revealed the five guns in their possession belong to the Calvin and Family Group security company.
It appears that a contract of some sort exists between the company and the municipality - but instead of providing manpower, only guns have been supplied.
According to the SAPS, it amounts to a serious contravention of the Firearms Control Act.
The municipality says it enlisted the services of the private security company in January 2025, at a cost of R34 000 per guard - a decision influenced by security concerns.
However, the municipality pays the guards a salary directly each month.
Two weeks ago, a team from the SAPS national office conducted a scheduled firearms compliance check at the Calvin and Family Group head office in Durban North.
That process - which requires the officers to verify the existence and location of the company’s 857 firearms in various areas across the country - is still ongoing.
The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority is also looking into the Mkhambathini incident, but would not comment further.
In light of the latest developments, the Mkhambathini Local Municipality has told @eNCA it will review the security contract and look at possible alternatives.
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