Security Boss Claims Death Threats After KwaZulu-Natal Deputy Mayor Allegedly Fails to Pay R800,000 Bill

The owner and chief executive officer of a nationally recognised security services company is living in fear after he received death threats from associates of a deputy mayor at a municipality located in the north-east of KwaZulu-Natal.

Siyabonga Xulu who operates Solbeth Protection and Risk Management claimed that King Cetshwayo District Municipality's Deputy Mayor (DM) Philile Xulu was responsible for the threats directed at him by her henchman last month, when he requested payment for security services she had ordered.

Xulu alleged that the DM approached him for "urgent" assistance in January 2025 as her life was in imminent danger, he duly complied and rendered his services until November, and was owed R800 000. 

He has since opened a case of fraud, misrepresentation, and intimidation against the DM at the Hillcrest police station.

SAPS KZN's spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, confirmed that the Hillcrest police were investigating the matter.

Netshiunda confirmed that a case was opened following an incident in which a man was allegedly threatened by a woman, who reportedly owed him money and refused to pay.

"The incident occurred on December 3 on Old Main Road, Hillcrest,” said Netshiunda regarding the threat allegation.

The DM denied directing any threats towards Xulu, she accepted that she was liable for the security services bill, and insisted the outstanding amount was solely her responsibility and the municipality was not liable for the charges. 

Xulu said: “The Deputy Mayor pleaded to be seen on an urgent basis (January 2025) to mitigate the risk exposure she faced.

"She travelled to Solbeth's premises in Hillcrest, where she was consulted on the processes for evaluating her situation while being shown the cost breakdown and all relevant information.

"She was assisted, and her problem was resolved as per her needs.

"She was also informed about previous issues the company had experienced, such as the matter with another large government entity due to non-payment of invoices amounting to millions of rands."

Xulu said the DM communicated via WhatsApp that she was arranging a meeting with the Municipal Manager and her mother, who is the Mayor of Umlalazi Local Municipality, to facilitate payment.

He said the invoice he issued to the DM was detailed and explained the costs.

When Xulu realised that Philile’s payment promises were not being fulfilled, he approached both King Cetshwayo's district Mayor and Municipal Manager, which resulted in a formal meeting.

At the said meeting held in the municipal manager’s boardroom, the non-payment issue was explained.

"The Municipal Manager was given the invoice, and there was follow up communication, which also did not resolve the non payment issue,” Xulu said.

Instead of receiving his payment from the DM, Xulu stated that he received threatening messages from individuals close to her, who warned him to leave her alone or he would be dealt with.

Xulu said the threats in December came via a message and was followed-up via two calls, where he was told that he would be killed if he continued to ask for his money.

In an SMS he received from a 078xxxxxxx number, it read: “Nonsense done by Xulu will not be tolerated.”

Xulu said he forwarded the messages to the DM who owed him R800 000 for consultation and assessment, mobile number tracing termination transmission among other services rendered.

The DM reiterated that she alone owed Xulu for the services he provided but denied that he had a business relationship with the municipality.

“I am currently stuck financially, as I had explained to him, and I am the one who has a contract with him. The municipality has nothing to do with this,” the DM said.

When questioned about her associates sending threatening messages to Xulu, Philile stated that she was unaware about the allegations, but she required more time to make payment.

"He told me that he had already filed charges, and I have no problem with that,” said the DM.

The entity's Municipal Manager, Philani Sibiya, also said that Xulu did not have a contract with the municipality.

“Please be advised that the council does not have a contract with Solbeth Protection and Risk Management.

"If the company was providing services for the principal, that would give us grounds to engage the service provider,” Sibiya said.

About the meeting with Xulu, Sibiya said that they did not operate in silos, and willing engaged with people who wanted to meet him, but that should not be interpreted as them having a business relationship with the individuals involved.

Sibiya said that if Xulu insisted on being paid by the municipality, he must provide an appointment letter from the municipality.

Xulu responded that when the DM approached him on an urgent basis, she came to him under the umbrella of King Cetshwayo. He said there was no time for formalities then as the DM’s life was under threat.

Xulu has also engaged KZN's Premier Thami Ntuli on the matter, who promised to address it.

The Premier’s office has not responded to the Daily News questions.

DAILY NEWS