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AfriForum has submitted a formal Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request to the South African Police Service (SAPS) to obtain full clarity on the number of police stations in the country that rely on private security to protect their own premises.

This request follows after Senzo Mchunu, the Minister of Police, on 28 March published proposed amendments to regulations in terms of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act in the Government Gazette. According to reports, several police stations employ private security companies for guarding purposes because police officers are reportedly unable to fulfil even basic site security due to personnel shortages and resource constraints.

“It is absurd that, while the SAPS relies on the private security sector to protect their buildings in some cases, the same government is now pushing regulations that will render that sector powerless. If these amendments go through, not even police stations will have effective protection anymore,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety.

According to AfriForum, the proposed amendments are deeply flawed and threaten to paralyse the entire private security industry. Some of the most glaring red flags include the following:
•    Disarming on suspicion: Security firms may be prohibited from issuing firearms to their officers if the company is merely under investigation, regardless of whether any charges have been laid.
•    Banning firearms in public areas: Armed officers may be prevented from carrying firearms in public spaces such as malls, schools or churches unless strict and unclear conditions are met.
•    Unclear ammunition restrictions: The draft regulations limits ammunition to a “reasonable quantity” without defining what “reasonable” means, posing legal and operational uncertainty.
•    Impossible firearm tracking requirements: Every firearm must have a tracking device, which is an unreasonable request, considering the current strict regulations surrounding the issuing of firearms to security officers.
•    Ban on less-lethal tools: The proposed regulations prohibit rubber bullets, tasers and water cannons, which are critical tools for managing riots, strikes and violent unrest.

“In a country where violent crime is rampant and SAPS resources are overstretched, private security has become a lifeline for millions of South Africans. To now disarm this sector under the guise of regulation is not only irrational – it’s dangerous. We need the public’s support so that we can protect our protectors,” concludes Broodryk.

AfriForum calls on all members of the public to support the organisation’s efforts in opposing these reckless regulations. The deadline for public submissions is 25 April. Click here to make your voice heard.

Issued by AfriForum