More than 500k jobs at risk if proposed amendments to Private Security Industry Regulation Act implemented

JOHANNESBURG - More than half a million jobs will be at risk if proposed amendments to the Private Security Industry Regulation Act are implemented.

Last week, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu quietly drafted proposals to the act without consultation with the private security sector.

The amendments seek to essentially "disarm" the private security sector by imposing strict regulations on what types of firearms and ammunition they may possess.

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DA spokesperson on police, Ian Cameron, believes the proposed amendments to the Private Security Industry Regulation Act will jeopardise the safety of the very community's private security companies protect.

"Restricting security firms' access to essential tools such as tasers and other kinds of weapons leaves them unarmed, making communities more vulnerable to crime and so too those very guards," said Cameron.

Independent crime analyst, Mxolisi Slevana, said private security filled a significant gap in crime fighting that police could not.

"If you look at the number of SAPS that they have currently, operational members, it is just over 200,000. But if you look at the private security personnel, it’s over 580,000," said Slevana.

Industry role players have questioned the proposed amendments without having been consulted.