Private security industry in South Africa

The private security industry in South Africa is an industry that provides security, guarding and related services to private individuals and companies. South Africa's private security industry is one of the largest in the world. This is often attributed to the country's high levels of crime or to a lack of public confidence in the South African Police Service.

Because of a widespread lack of compliance with registration requirements, it is difficult to determine the number of workers in the industry. However, some estimate that it employs as many as 400,000 individuals.

Services offered

Security companies in South Africa provide services in several disciplines. Most security companies specialise in just one of them. According to the Beeld Newspaper has there been on the Friday 22 October 2010 7459 Registered at P.S.I.R.A. Security Companies employeeing 387 273 Security Officers. Of these Security Companies is 2722 and 151 991 Security Guards in the Province of Gauteng employed. They reach the conclusion that an approximate ratio of one police for every three Security Officers privately an/or on contract is the De Facto situation in the Republic of South Africa

Manned guarding

Manned guarding a service where the presence of security guard ensures the safety of assets, premises or people. In terms of the Private Security Industry Regulatory Act, the grading that security guard has received determines the type of guarding he or she can perform. Many companies offer manned guarding services, and the majority of workers employed the industry are employed this discipline.

Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (P.S.I.R.A.) MINIMUM Training Standards for Security Personnel Grade E,D,C,B,A applicable in the Republic of South Africa

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY REGULATORY AUTHORITY (KNOWN AS)

P.S.I.R.A.

MINIMUM TRAINING STANDARDS

GRADE E :

General Appearance & Personal Hygiene

Basic Occupational Safety

Basic Public Relations

Role and Function of Security

Bombs, Explosive Devices and Firearms

Discipline

Basic Self Defence

Observation

Guarding and Patrolling

Use of Fire-extinguisher

Basic Radio/Telephone Communication

Basic Legal Aspects

Industrial Relations

GRADE D :

Public Relations

Self Defence I and Minimum Force

Basic Fire Fighting

Radio Communication

Legal Aspects 1

Access Control

Searching Procedure and Techniques

Pocket Books

Basic Occupational Safety

Practical Aspects of Theory

Revision Previous Grade E

GRADE C :

Self Defence 2

Written Reports

Occupational Safety

The Threat (The Risk)

Bomb Threats

Protection of Information

Role in Emergency

Fire Prevention and Protection

Legal Aspects 2

Practical Aspects of Theory

Revision Previous Grades E,D

GRADE B :

Physical Security and Technology

Planned Inspections

Role in Emergency

Statements

Communications

Orders/Instructions

On-the-job Training

Supervision

Group Relations

Handling Parades

Condensed Revision Grade E,D,C

GRADE A :

Basic Principles of Investigation

Action at the scene of an Incident

Questioning of Witnesses

Principles of Giving Evidence

Court and Court Procedures

Human Behaviour

Motivation and Gaining Co-operation

Report Writing

Registers

Interaction

Condensed Revision Grade E,D,C,B

Assets in transit (AIT)

AIT refers to the transportation of valuable assets under armed guard, and generally in specialised, armoured vehicles. Most often, money is transported between business premises and banks, but other assets are also transported.

In the past, only a handful of large companies provided an AIT service, but smaller, regional companies have begun to emerge.

AIT operations are frequently the target of violent robberies, called cash-in-transit heists. Many security personnel are killed each year in these attacks, and they have substantially increased the cost of AIT services.

Recently , in the last couple of Months the South African Police Service together with other Law Enforcement Agencies had tremendous success in bringing down violent crimes against business , especially during the 2010 Soccer World Cup in the Republic of South Africa. These facts are confirmed by Business Chambers throughout the Country including Business Chamber South Africa.

One of the core reasons for this great success , compared to where the situation has been , is because of better training for Security Personnel. Security Officers , working in the Assets in Transit Industry , also has to do extra specialization courses approved by P.S.I.R.A. such as Cash in Transit , Armed Response , National Key Points , Fire Arm Compentency Course , and recently , P.S.I.R.A. has become extremely strict about the registration of Security Personnel , the Instructors who are Authorised and judged competent to give Courses and the Security Companies and other Role Players who are able to do so. Furthermore minimum training standards are strictly prescribed and inspected for every single specific course , and inspections by trained P.S.I.R.A. inspectors are done throughout the Republic of South Africa.

Although it can be said in all honesty that the former S.O.B. (before P.S.I.R.A.) did not have everything up to standard , recently in the last couple of years P.S.I.R.A. has done extensive work of a highly praiseworthy nature compared to best practice on Planet Earth putting thousands of manhours of high quality effective efficient productive work in it. This in turn has strengethened the hand of Security Personnel as a Support to the South African Police Service in the fight against crime , which has turned a potential anargy and criminal war situation around to a much more managable one , which previously the Criminals was winning gradually , but now the Police and Security is slowly but surely turning everything brilliantly around.

Although the specialised task teams of the South African Police Service should get the larger part for the credit for this brilliant breakthroughs in the war against crime in the Republic of South Africa , the role of P.S.I.R.A. can in no ways not be underestimated.

Physical security

Physical security companies install security devices at premises and homes, and in cars. Devices include security fencing, motorised gates and garages, burglar proofing, security doors and gates, locks and safes, car alarms and vehicle tracking systems.

Alarm monitoring and armed response

Alarm monitoring and armed response companies are employed to monitor burglar alarm systems. If an alarm is triggered, the company will dispatch armed security personnel to ensure the safety of property and people. ADT Security Services and Chubb Security are the largest providers of armed response services in South Africa.

Technology

Technology services include the installation of electronic security devices such as CCTV, electronic access control systems and related equipment.

Security consulting

Companies providing security consulting advise their clients on the security measures they need to take to protect their property, businesses or homes.

Security legislation

Since the late 1980s the security industry has been regulated according to the Security Officers Act of 1987. Before 1994, security companies had to comply with the requirements of the Security Officers Board (SOB). The SOB determined wages and accreditation, and established a code of behaviour for security companies and their employees.

Many considered the SOB an ineffective regulator, as it had too few staff, and many security companies did not comply with the regulation requiring them to register themselves and all of their employees with the board. It was therefore unable to compel companies to comply with minimum wage requirements, and prevent them from employing illegal immigrants.

Because of these concerns, the South African parliament enacted the Private Security Industry Regulatory Act, which established the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority. The authority has been more successful at regulating the industry than its predecessor had. The act also created a grading system for security personnel, which determined the duties they were qualified to perform.

Other acts, such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Labour Relations Act, the Skills Development Act and the Employment Equity Act have included measures to improve the working conditions of security workers.

Unlike many other industries in South Africa, the security industry has not had minimum wages and maximum working hours dictated by legislation. Instead, these regulations are determined by a sectoral determination by the labour minister.

Private security legislation does not apply to state law enforcement and security agencies.

Industry bodies

In addition to the regulatory bodies established by the South African government, the security industry has established a number of bodies to regulate itself. Membership in these bodies is voluntary. They include:

• Security Association of South Africa (SASA), whose membership is open to companies offering any type of security service
• South African National Security Employers Association (SANSEA), an employers' organization for companies in the security hawgs, barlow industry
• Electronic Security Distributors Association (ESDA), an association of importers and distributors of electeronic security equipment
• South African Intruder Detection Services Association (SAIDSA), an association of companies providing alarm monitoring and armed response services
• Safety & Security Sector Education & Training Authority (SASSETA)
• Vehicle Security Association of South Africa (VESA)

The industry has no single trade union. Its members are represented by several unions, most of whom are members of the Congress of South African Trade Unions.

Involvement of foreign companies

Several multinational corporations have invested in the South African security industry, and have come to dominate sections of it. These include Tyco International, United Technologies Corporation, and Top Holdings, who operate the companies ADT, Chubb South Africa and Top Security, respectively.

Other multinational corporations that operated in South Africa have sold their local subsidiaries to South African companies, sometimes as part of Black Economic Empowerment deals. These deals include the absorption of Khuselani Springbok by Fidelity.

The South African security companies Fidelity and Coin Security, among others, have themselves established large overseas operations.

2006 strike action

Street violence occurred during the 2006 security strike

In 2006, private security personnel went on strike across South Africa. The strike lasted 96 days and cost the industry more than a million working days. The strike was supported by the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union and 15 other trade unions. The striking workers looted and damaged property, and committed violent crimes.

See also

• Crime in South Africa
• South African Police Service
• Security guard
• Private security company
• List of private security companies
• Law and Disorder in Johannesburg

External links

• Act 56 of 2001, Private Security Industry Regulation Act
• Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority
• South African National Security Employers’ Association (SANSEA)
• Electronic Security Distributors' Association (ESDA)
• South African Intruder Detection Services Association (SAIDSA)
• Motor Vehicle Security Association of South Africa (VESA)