Latest news with #PrivateSecurityIndustryRegulationAct
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Defensor Security Company and two directors found guilty of R384m fraud
The Northern Cape high court on Monday found two directors of Defensor Security Services guilty of fraud. The court also found Claudius Gerald Peterson, Gert Renier van Rooyen and their company guilty of contravening the Public Finance Management Act and the Private Security Industry Regulation Act (PSIRA). Peterson, Van Rooyen and Defensor were charged together with Steven Jonkers, the former head of the department of health in the Northern Cape, in 2020. Jonkers was acquitted of all charges. Hawks spokesperson Lt-Col Tebogo Thebe said Jonkers, now deputy director-general in another provincial department, allegedly irregularly awarded a tender to Defensor Electronic Security Systems for security services to the department between August and October 2017. The tender's value was initially R224m but later escalated to more than R384m. 'The directors submitted fraudulent documents to gain an unfair advantage over others to be awarded the tender,' Thebe said. The case was reported to the Hawks' serious corruption investigators in December 2017 and arrests were made in 2020. Northern Cape Hawks head Maj-Gen Stephen Mabuela welcome the convictions. 'The wheels of justice may have turned slowly in this matter, but this conviction offers us hope. My appreciation goes to both the investigating and prosecutorial teams for their hard work,' Mabuela said.
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Big blow for rampant corruption
It is rare for our law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts to receive commendation for their work, as the daily crime statistics often subject them to criticism. However, when they perform exceptionally, they deserve recognition. This week, the Kimberley Division of the High Court delivered a significant blow to the rampant corruption in our nation. On Monday, August 11, two directors of Defensor Security Services, Claudius Gerald Peterson and Gert Renier van Rooyen, along with the entity itself, were found guilty of fraud and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 and the Private Security Industry Regulation Act (PSIRA) 56 of 2001. The group, which initially surrendered in October 2021, included Steven Jonkers, the former HOD of the Department of Health, who was acquitted of all charges. The allegations stated that the former HOD, now a Deputy Director General in another provincial department, irregularly awarded a tender to Defensor Electronic Security Systems for security services. The company directors submitted fraudulent documents to gain an unfair advantage, leading to them being awarded the tender as the highest bidder between August and October 2017. The tender's initial value of R224 million later increased to over R384 million. As Major General Stephen Mabuela, the Provincial Head of the Hawks, noted, "The wheels of justice may have turned slowly in this matter, but this conviction offers us hope." We echo this sentiment. Corruption remains a significant challenge in South Africa, undermining democracy, public trust, and economic development at all levels of society. It is crucial to honour whistleblowers, such as Babita Deokaran, who have paid the ultimate price for reporting corruption within departments like the Gauteng Department of Health. While we still have a long way to go in eradicating corruption, the Kimberley verdict is an encouraging sign nonetheless.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Bib blow for rampant corruption
While we still have a long way to go in eradicating corruption, the Kimberley Division of the High Court verdict is an encouraging sign nonetheless. It is rare for our law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts to receive commendation for their work, as the daily crime statistics often subject them to criticism. However, when they perform exceptionally, they deserve recognition. This week, the Kimberley Division of the High Court delivered a significant blow to the rampant corruption in our nation. On Monday, August 11, two directors of Defensor Security Services, Claudius Gerald Peterson and Gert Renier van Rooyen, along with the entity itself, were found guilty of fraud and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 and the Private Security Industry Regulation Act (PSIRA) 56 of 2001. The group, which initially surrendered in October 2021, included Steven Jonkers, the former HOD of the Department of Health, who was acquitted of all charges. The allegations stated that the former HOD, now a Deputy Director General in another provincial department, irregularly awarded a tender to Defensor Electronic Security Systems for security services. The company directors submitted fraudulent documents to gain an unfair advantage, leading to them being awarded the tender as the highest bidder between August and October 2017. The tender's initial value of R224 million later increased to over R384 million. As Major General Stephen Mabuela, the Provincial Head of the Hawks, noted, "The wheels of justice may have turned slowly in this matter, but this conviction offers us hope." We echo this sentiment. Corruption remains a significant challenge in South Africa, undermining democracy, public trust, and economic development at all levels of society. It is crucial to honour whistleblowers, such as Babita Deokaran, who have paid the ultimate price for reporting corruption within departments like the Gauteng Department of Health. While we still have a long way to go in eradicating corruption, the Kimberley verdict is an encouraging sign nonetheless.
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
