Latest news with #IPSSSecurity
The Citizen
10-05-2025
- The Citizen
Security guard killed in botched cash-in-transit
A 49-year-old security guard was shot and killed during a failed cash-in-transit robbery near Mandeni just before 9am this morning. The robbers reportedly failed to gain access to the majority of the money after their explosives did not work as planned in a brazen daytime heist which closed part of the N2 for hours. According to IPSS Security operations manager, Phumlani Vezi, two other guards at the scene were not injured but were robbed of their firearms. The incident marks at least the sixth cash-in-transit heist between KwaDukuza and Mandeni in the past year. Last month, a 50-year-old security guard was shot in the leg and his 46-year-old colleague was assaulted in a cash-in-transit heist on the R74 near KwaDukuza. Just three days earlier, robbers targeted a vehicle on the R102 between Mandeni and Gingindlovu, escaping with an undisclosed amount of money. Later in the day, in an unrelated accident, a father and his 8-year-old son tragically lost their lives in a head-on collision on the R102. They were travelling with their family when the accident happened near the KwaDukuza police station at around 4pm. 'Another five family members were injured, including three children aged between 8 and 13. One patient was severely entrapped in the wreckage and required urgent assistance,' said IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson, Samantha Meyrick. The driver of the second vehicle was taken to hospital by private transport while the passenger picked up minor injuries and declined further treatment. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Proposed gun laws put public safety at risk, says private security firms
Ballito security experts are warning that proposed changes to South Africa's firearm regulations could cripple the private security industry and place public safety at risk. Frank Labidi, CEO of IPSS Security, voiced strong opposition to amendments recently tabled by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu under the Private Security Industry Regulation Act. The proposed changes – published on March 28 – aim to tighten control over firearms and increase regulatory oversight of private security operations. However, Labidi believes the amendments were introduced without proper consultation and could have serious unintended consequences. 'These regulations have been drafted without any meaningful engagement with the security industry. They are illogical, severe, and will affect every citizen in this country,' he said. The proposed changes would prohibit private security officers from carrying weapons, including non-lethal tools such as rubber bullets, tasers, tear gas and handcuffs, in public areas like schools, malls, taxi ranks, hospitals and stadiums. Labidi argues that private security companies play a critical role in supporting law enforcement, particularly during moments of crisis, such as the July 2021 unrest, when private security firms were instrumental in protecting communities from looting across KZN. On the North Coast, Ballito was protected by a combined force of residents and security companies, while the surrounding towns of Tongaat, Shakaskraal and KwaDukuza were quickly overwhelmed. 'Under the new rules, security firms would need to apply for permits seven days in advance just to carry firearms. That's unworkable in emergency situations and would leave the public vulnerable. 'The new regulations impose significant restrictions and burdens. This also burdens the police force, who are understaffed and over-worked.' He warned that the regulations could also devastate the private security sector, predicting that up to 300,000 jobs could be lost if half of the country's firms are forced to shut down. 'Will the minister employ additional cops because there will be no security officers? The answer is no!' Attorney and director at Marshall Security, Dave Campbell, agreed with Labidi, saying that whoever drafted the regulation does not know what they are doing. 'It is an unworkable system. If riots had to happen again, the criminals would need to give us written notice so we can apply for weapons to protect the public,' he said. 'The public relies on private security for safety, not the cops; we protect the police. How can we respond to armed criminals without weapons?' The proposed regulations are open for public and stakeholder comment at until April 25. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
