The troubled Nongoma Local Municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal was plunged into a security crisis on Thursday when bodyguards of politicians and senior officials stormed council offices to demand their November salaries.

The gun-wielding bodyguards demanded answers from Mayor Clifford Ndabandaba after going unpaid for almost two weeks from their normal pay day.

They claimed that when they enquired from their private company why they have not been paid, they were told that it is because the municipality has not paid for services rendered.

“We then resolved that we must go to the council to demand answers as to why they are not paying us. Just like them we have families to feed and we keep them safe while they neglect us,” one security guard who spoke to the African Times said.

An eyewitness who was within the council offices when all the drama unfolded said there was a meeting in progress when the bodyguards decided to storm the boardroom and demand answers.

“Everyone was left shaken as the bodyguards came with their firearms. It was feared that they may use them should there be resistance. The meeting was hurriedly called off and the mayor  (Clifford Ndabandaba) met with the aggrieved bodyguards to find an amicable solution,” the eyewitness said.

In one short video that was recorded during the standoff, a man believed to be a councillor is heard apologising to the bodyguards while asking to be allowed to leave the venue.

Ndabandaba did not comment when asked about the matter. The security company that won the tender to provide the bodyguards also did not comment.