Patrick Wadula

Senior Business Correspondent

PROMINENT black businessman Herman Mashaba has bought a 30% stake in security company Claw Protection Services for an undisclosed sum, using his company Phatsima Securities.

The security industry has seen a mushrooming of small black-owned security companies in a bid to get contracts from public entities.

Government’s empowerment requirements have prompted many medium and large security companies, such as Claw, to seek black partners to ensure growth.

As part of the agreement, Mashaba would become nonexecutive chairman of Claw. The company, in a bid to strengthen its executive management team, has also appointed a new commercial director, Louis Mkhethoni.

Mashaba said yesterday the security business was one of the fastest growing sectors in SA.

“We are going all out to position the company as a serious security player in the country,” he said.

Claw CE David Ash said being an empowered company affirmed the company’s commitment to transformation.

“Our mission is to stimulate growth from within, achievable through our black economic empowerment strategy, which has people at its heart,” he said.

“Meaningful change extends to attracting passionate people to our company, and through knowledge and experience they will ultimately become the powerhouse behind our recruitment practices, skills development and procurement policies,” said Ash.