Latest news with #PrivateSecurityIndustryRegulationAct
The Citizen
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Disarmed and defenceless
Most residents and business owners would likely agree that they rely on private security companies as their first line of defence against criminals. However, the proposed amendments to the Private Security Industry Regulation Act (PSIRA) could have dangerous and far-reaching consequences for community safety. So, what are these proposed amendments? 'The police, in conjunction with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority, recently gazetted a set of draft amendments aimed at tightening firearm control within the private security sector. According to the gazette, the amendments would limit the number and types of firearms that security personnel may use,' reported The Citizen, a sister publication of the Krugersdorp News. The News reached out to local security companies to understand what impact these changes could have on public safety. Johan Cronje, director at Mapogo A Mathamaga, explained that while the amendment is not yet law, it is expected to take effect on July 1. 'This amendment will strip semi-automatic firearms from the private security sector, impose stricter regulations on carrying standard firearms, limit the amount of ammunition guards can carry, and even ban restraining devices like handcuffs, as well as non-lethal tools such as pepper spray and tasers,' he explained. Cronje stressed the serious implications for residents and business owners who rely on private security for protection. In most cases, it's not the police but private security who respond first during incidents like break-ins. 'Now imagine a criminal breaks into your home, and the people you rely on are unarmed and underprepared. What are they supposed to do – throw rocks at criminals who might be armed with automatic weapons?' he asked. He warned this could trigger a sharp rise in crime. 'Criminals don't care about regulations. These laws won't apply to them – they'll still get their hands on firearms. We're likely to see a spike in armed robberies because our guards will be at a major disadvantage, bound by strict regulations,' Cronje said. Security guards risk their lives daily. Disarming them puts their lives – and the lives of the people they protect – at greater risk. 'How can they defend us without the proper tools?' he asked. Beyond safety, Cronje also raised concerns about the economic impact. 'This could cost the industry an estimated half a million jobs.' Jan Venter, director of Guardmax Protection Services, echoed Cronje's concerns. He warned that disarming trained security personnel would endanger lives and could collapse an industry that supports thousands of households. 'This will lead to more crime and leave communities vulnerable against heavily armed criminals,' he said. 'Instead of targeting licensed security providers, the focus should be on dismantling the illegal firearms trade. Security companies are often the first responders in serious crime situations – criminals arrive in groups and are heavily armed.' 'If our guards are unarmed, we're expected to focus only on prevention, while criminals prepare for confrontation. It's like sending soldiers into battle without their gear. Disarming private security will render them ineffective and give criminals the upper hand,' Venter concluded. Have your say about this issue by sending the News an email at krugersdorpnews@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Growing rejection of PSIRA's draft firearm regulations sparks nationwide outcry
Private security industry is facing a crackdown on the weapons the security industry can have access to. The wave of opposition to the proposed amendments to firearm regulations for the private security industry is gaining momentum, with nearly 30,000 formal objections submitted by the Foundation for Rights of Expression and Equality (Free SA) in a scathing rejection of the draft regulations under the Private Security Industry Regulation Act. 'This is not just about regulatory overreach; it's about people's lives. The draft regulations are disconnected from the realities of crime in our country. They disarm the very people who are protecting our communities while offering no credible alternative,' said Reuben Coetzer, Spokesperson for Free SA. Free SA warns that the proposed regulations, tabled by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, could have dire implications for public safety, community self-reliance, and the constitutional rights of citizens. The proposed amendments to South Africa's Private Security Industry Regulation Act introduce significant changes to the management of firearms within the private security sector. These draft regulations aim to tighten control over the issuing, possession, and use of firearms and other weapons by security service providers. Key provisions include mandating that security officers may only possess firearms lawfully provided by their employers, prohibiting them from using personally owned firearms while on duty. Additionally, the regulations seek to impose stricter oversight on firearm usage, including requirements for detailed record-keeping and adherence to specified training standards. Free SA has called for the immediate withdrawal of the draft, citing widespread concern from crime-affected communities. In its submission to PSIRA, Free SA revealed it had received 28,395 individual objections through its public participation platform. 'We don't see SAPS in our community. If you take away our security patrols' tools, who will protect us?' read one submission. Another asked: 'Private security came when my wife was attacked. SAPS came three hours later. If these rules pass, who do I call next time?' Among the objections are concerns about legal vagueness, such as undefined terms like 'reasonable quantity of ammunition' and impractical proposals like mandating tracking devices on firearms. Free SA also criticised what it called a 'flawed and legally deficient' public consultation process and warned that the regulations ignore successful safety models, such as the Western Cape's LEAP programme. The foundation's stance echoes industry-wide backlash. Just last week, six leading private security industry bodies—SANSEA, SASA, the National Security Forum, CEO, TAPSOSA, and LASA—announced their formal opposition to the proposed regulations. 'We urge the government to work collaboratively with the sector to find solutions that support both accountability and operational viability,' said Steve Conradie, National Chairperson of the National Security Forum. 'If these regulations are promulgated, it will result in massive job losses and will put the safety of the public at risk.' The coalition has engaged firearm law expert Martin Hood of MJ Hood and Associates to spearhead their legal response. THE MERCURY
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!
IOL News
22-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
AfriForum mocks police Minister with water pistols donation
AfriForum has again been hogging headlines after they took a tongue-in-cheek approach to protest the proposed amendments to regulations that would practically disarm the private security sector. The civil rights organisation handed over a set of water pistols to the bodyguards of police minister Senzo Mchunu, symbolising their opposition to the proposed regulations. Mchunu signed the proposed private security amendments late last month while members of the public still had an opportunity to comment on the matter. The proposed amendments to the Private Security Industry Regulation Act (PSIRA) have sparked criticism from various quarters of the security sector. According to AfriForum's chief spokesperson for Community Safety, Jacques Broodryk, the donation was a protest against the minister's efforts to disarm private security officers. "It is absurd that the government has to rely on private security to guard buildings – and, in certain cases, even police stations – while, at the same time, pushing for the implementation of regulations that will render that same industry powerless," Broodryk said. AfriForum argues that the proposed changes will paralyse the industry, jeopardise thousands of jobs, and leave millions of the country's residents without reliable protection. Broodryk highlighted several concerning aspects of the proposed regulations, including disarmament on suspicion, a ban on firearms in public spaces, unclear ammunition restrictions, unrealistic firearm tracking, and a ban on less-lethal devices. "In a country overwhelmed by violent crime, where the SAPS is overstretched and severely under-resourced, private security plays a critical role in protecting communities. To disarm this sector under the guise of regulation is not only irrational – it is dangerous," Broodryk said. AfriForum is calling on the public to support its campaign against implementing these regulations. The deadline for public submissions is April 25, 2025. Broodryk encouraged people to add their names to the campaign, saying, "Protect our protectors by adding your name here." AfriForum argues that private security plays a vital role in protecting communities, especially in areas where the SAPS is understaffed and under-resourced. The organisation has submitted an application to the SAPS in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to determine how many police stations make use of private security services to guard their premises. The organisation believes disarming private security officers will have severe consequences for the safety and security of communities. According to media reports, there are several examples of cases where private security firms are contracted to perform even the most basic tasks, such as access control, due to a shortage of police officers and a lack of resources. However, the head of PSIRA, Manabela Chauke, asserted that Mchunu's proposals were not meant to destroy the security sector or cut jobs. Speaking in a television interview, Chauke said that the proposals were intended to regulate and track private security companies' possession and use of firearms and ammunition. Chauke added that related proposals were first published in 2003, but were not acted on, and the country was now experiencing. He said there were many weapons being stolen from the security sector or some within the sector opting to turn rogue with company service weapons. 'If you ask me to account for the movement of a firearm in the private security industry, I will not be able to tell you…why is that? Because we don't have a mechanism to police that,' Chauke said. Approached for comment, police spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi said that she was still checking with the private office of the minister.
