South Africa’s private security industry has seen unprecedented growth to eclipse the personnel of the police force, despite serving a margin of the population.
South Africa’s high crime rate and subsequent anxieties resulting from it, coupled with inefficiencies and a lack of trust in the South African Police Service , has provided fertile ground for a sector to boom, protecting those who can afford to pay for it – private security.
It encompasses security services offered by businesses and organisations to clients for a fee, which involves safeguarding individuals, assets, property, and information against various threats, including criminal activities, perpetrated against their clients. The police-to-population ratio increased from approximately 1:353 in 2014 to 1:427 in 2023, far above the UN recommendation of 1:220.This, coupled with the country’s struggles with crime and social challenges, has seen the private security sector now employing more people than the country’s police and military combined.
According to PSiRA, these appointments include unarmed guards as well as highly-trained tactical units. The latter draw ex-military and police personnel due to more attractive remuneration compared to the public sector.
“The private security industry has now become a major player; its services are specifically customised for those who have the financial means to afford them,” said Professor Pillay in his“Private security is expensive,” said Francois Marais, CEO of Randburg-based private security company Ghost Squad.
This situation echoes similar circumstances in the healthcare and education sectors – both of which have come under scrutiny by the government, and seen massive changes where the state has tried to restore “balance”.
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