How G4S stretches its tentacles into Africa
G4S, the infamous British ‘security’ firm has over the last 40 years spread its tentacles deep into Africa. Today, this huge monopoly, which with nearly 700,000 employees in 125 countries boasts of being the second largest private sector employer in the world, has also established a considerable presence in Africa. With over 111,000 employees in more than 29 countries on the continent, it is now the largest private employer in Africa. In addition it has some 58,000 customers in Africa, including governments, businesses and non-governmental organisations.
G4S has its main African office in South Africa and regional offices in Morocco, Kenya and Nigeria. It provides ‘security’ services for multinational entities such as banks and mining, oil and gas and telecommunications companies. The ‘security’ services it offers include providing security staff for buildings, running prisons and other detention centres, transporting cash and providing security for major events. In addition, it provides security at airports and harbours.
The expansion of G4S into Africa reflects both neo-liberal globalisation and increasing insecurity caused on the continent through foreign military intervention. Under the current global neo-liberal dogma of privatising the functions of the state and turning this into a means of funnelling money from the state treasury into the pockets of the monopolies, G4S has taken on the running of various prisons and detention centres in Africa. The most well-known of these is Mangaung prison in South Africa. In 2001, G4S signed a 25 year Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract with the South African government to run this maximum security facility. However, in 2013, the South African government stepped in to take control of the prisons after G4S sacked all 331 prison staff who were on strike. In addition, evidence emerged of wide-scale torture at the prison, including the forcible injecting of inmates with anti-psychotic drugs and the use of electric shocks and tasers against them. In 2014, the prison was returned to G4S control.
G4S has its main African office in South Africa and regional offices in Morocco, Kenya and Nigeria. It provides ‘security’ services for multinational entities such as banks and mining, oil and gas and telecommunications companies. The ‘security’ services it offers include providing security staff for buildings, running prisons and other detention centres, transporting cash and providing security for major events. In addition, it provides security at airports and harbours.
The expansion of G4S into Africa reflects both neo-liberal globalisation and increasing insecurity caused on the continent through foreign military intervention. Under the current global neo-liberal dogma of privatising the functions of the state and turning this into a means of funnelling money from the state treasury into the pockets of the monopolies, G4S has taken on the running of various prisons and detention centres in Africa. The most well-known of these is Mangaung prison in South Africa. In 2001, G4S signed a 25 year Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract with the South African government to run this maximum security facility. However, in 2013, the South African government stepped in to take control of the prisons after G4S sacked all 331 prison staff who were on strike. In addition, evidence emerged of wide-scale torture at the prison, including the forcible injecting of inmates with anti-psychotic drugs and the use of electric shocks and tasers against them. In 2014, the prison was returned to G4S control.
Mangaung prison , South Africa, which is run by G4S
In a 2007 investigation into the activities of G4S in Malawi, professor Thokozani Ngwira of the university of Malawi found that 95% of the G4S staff reported that their salaries only just covered the cost of their rent and food, that night shift guards had to work 84 hours per week and were paid 50% of their basic rate for overtime hours instead of the legally required 1.5 times basic rate and that the company prevented the staff from taking annual leave and then refused to pay them for unused annual leave.
In countries, such as Libya, which have descended into chaos as a result of foreign military intervention, G4S has set itself up as a provider of ‘security services’. For example, in 2012, following NATO’s destruction of that country, the EU awarded G4S a €10 million 4 year contract to provide ‘security’ for the EU’s Tripoli and Benghazi delegations. In neighbouring Mali, where foreign intervention by France has destabilised the country, G4S has also stepped up its activities. It has been noted that the destruction, rebuilding and ‘securing’ of African countries has become a lucrative business opportunity for those who organise these activities.
The activities of G4S in Africa reflect the colonial hold that accompanies foreign intervention in Africa. Its links to the warmongering efforts of the big powers in Africa and their neo-liberal social and economic agendas blocks African people from taking control of their lives and countries and independently addressing the social and economic problems they face. It is long overdue for G4S to get out of Africa.
In countries, such as Libya, which have descended into chaos as a result of foreign military intervention, G4S has set itself up as a provider of ‘security services’. For example, in 2012, following NATO’s destruction of that country, the EU awarded G4S a €10 million 4 year contract to provide ‘security’ for the EU’s Tripoli and Benghazi delegations. In neighbouring Mali, where foreign intervention by France has destabilised the country, G4S has also stepped up its activities. It has been noted that the destruction, rebuilding and ‘securing’ of African countries has become a lucrative business opportunity for those who organise these activities.
The activities of G4S in Africa reflect the colonial hold that accompanies foreign intervention in Africa. Its links to the warmongering efforts of the big powers in Africa and their neo-liberal social and economic agendas blocks African people from taking control of their lives and countries and independently addressing the social and economic problems they face. It is long overdue for G4S to get out of Africa.
African countries where G4S operates
Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia
