The proposed amendments to Private Security Regulations will ban essential non-lethal weapons such as rubber bullets, water cannons, and tasers unless these are registered and approved while also limiting firearm use and ammunition.
Image: AFP
South Africa’s security industry is rallying together in opposition to proposed amendments to the Private Security Regulations, which seeks to impose tighter controls on weapons used by security guards as this will not only result in job losses, an increase in crime, and adversely affect economic growth.
The proposed amendments to Private Security Regulations will ban essential non-lethal weapons such as rubber bullets, water cannons, and tasers unless these are registered and approved while also limiting firearm use and ammunition.
A source in the security industry, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the sector, said that the amendments are likely to increase crime because security guards won’t be able to do their jobs properly, which will also lead to job losses.
This will adversely affect South Africa because international companies will be more hesitant to invest locally at a time when economic growth is stagnant, he said. IOL’s source noted that auxiliary support services will also be badly affected.
Various reports indicate that there are some 2.7 million private security guards registered in South Africa, although the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority’s (PSiRA’s) latest annual report indicates that 600 000 security officers are currently employed.
This is in comparison with 176 180 police personnel employed in South Africa according to Statista. Visible policing had the most amount of personnel, with 91 377 employees. Detective services followed with 37 246 members of staff, its data indicated.
However, the sector employs thousands more people in auxiliary services such as call centres.
“The industry is very concerned. Even down to a very basic level, these rules will hit us hard and it's extremely worrying. So, all the private bodies are definitely consulting, all the industry is consulting and there will be a response. I see there have been petitions going out as well,” the source said.
The DA, currently the second largest political party in the Government of National Unity, is also outraged. Ian Cameron, its spokesperson on police, has called for the withdrawal of proposed amendments that restrict armed security officers in public spaces.
“If enacted, these amendments by PSiRA will severely undermine the private security industry in South Africa and compromise public safety,” said Cameron in a statement.
Cameron added that the proposed amendments are “riddled with vague, impractical, and legally problematic provisions and imposes severe restrictions on where and how armed security officers may operate”.
The Member of Parliament was especially concerned about the fact that the amendments would “make it near impossible for armed officers to provide services in public areas such as malls, schools, churches, and hospitals, unless those service providers and locations meet a strict list of compliance requirements”.
Fidelity Services Group CEO, Wahl Bartmann, also voiced strong opposition to (PSiRA’s) proposed amendments to the Firearm Regulations under the Private Security Industry Regulation Act, believing they could lead to a dramatic increase in the already unacceptably high levels of crime in South Africa.
Bartmann said the changes proposed by South African Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, which are intended to tighten firearm and weapon controls while increasing regulatory oversight, could have far-reaching negative consequences for both industry operations and public safety and are raising concerns across the sector.
He further cautioned against the economic and developmental implications of the amendments. “Overly burdensome regulations could lead to job losses, business closures, and reduced local investment within the private security sector – a significant employer in vulnerable communities. This contradicts national policy objectives like the National Development Plan and the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.”
Fidelity will be opposing the proposed regulations through its legal team and will also be supporting opposition led by the employer organisations within the private security industry such as the South African National Security Employers Organisation and the Security Association of South Africa.
IOL
Related Topics: