Private Security Industry in South Africa - Services Offered

Services Offered

Security companies in South Africa provide services in several disciplines, most smaller companies specialising in just one or two. According to the Beeld Newspaper (Friday 22 October 2010) there were 2722 Security Companies with 151 991 Security Guards employed in Gauteng province alone. (JHB/ PTA Area) Thus, an approximate ratio of one police for every two point six Private Security Officers is estimated in the country, although in the Private Security Sector the ratio of 'admin' to 'active operations' is much higher (in favour of 'Active').

P.S.I.R.A. also comments that there are 9,320 (Active) Security Companies registered compared to about 1127 Police Stations, 190 000 Police Officers (of which about 35,000 are Reservists) in South Africa. Inspections by 47 P.S.I.R.A. Inspectors were performed at 6611 Companies. About 12000 applications for registration by both Companies and Individuals were turned down between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011 due to reasons such as previous criminal activities.

According to the last year report as tabled in Parliament since 2001 the amount of Registered Companies has increased by 61 percent and the amount of Registers Security Officers by 111 percent. The previous CEO Mr. Seth Mogapi was fired in July 2009 and the new CEO Mr. Manabela Chauke has been appointed as from 1 September 2010.