Elite police units in KwaZulu-Natal have conducted a firearms compliance operation at Mkhambathini Local Municipality. The raid has brought attention to the use of armed security in the area. Questions have also been raised about the involvement of a private protection company linked to businessman Calvin Mathibeli.
Specialised law enforcement teams arrived at the Mkhambathini Local Municipality offices to carry out a targeted inspection. The operation focused on ensuring that all firearms on the premises were properly licensed and stored according to regulations.
Authorities have not disclosed the number of weapons inspected or if any were confiscated during the raid. The presence of elite police units signalled the seriousness of the compliance checks and the broader concerns about security practices at the municipality.
The operation has sparked debate about the necessity and oversight of armed security at municipal offices. Some officials and community members have questioned whether the use of firearms by security personnel is justified in a local government setting.
There is growing scrutiny over how security companies are contracted and monitored, especially when they are responsible for protecting senior political figures. The incident has prompted calls for greater transparency in the awarding of security tenders and the vetting of armed guards.
Attention has turned to the protection services provided by businessman Calvin Mathibeli, whose company is reportedly tasked with safeguarding high-ranking municipal officials. The involvement of a private firm in municipal security has raised questions about accountability and the selection process for such contracts.
One official commented,
“highlighting concerns over armed security and the role of businessman Calvin Mathibeli’s protection services in safeguarding senior political officials.”
The municipality has yet to issue a formal statement addressing the specifics of the police operation or the future of its security arrangements.