The rapid expansion of private security companies in South Africa has created an opportunity for individuals with money to entrench themselves within the industry, leading to an alarming abuse of power.
In severe cases, criminals have effectively turned security services into private militias, which they use to harass and bully citizens out on the road and in private venues using mafia-like tactics.
Where have we seen this before
Chad Thomas, security expert and CEO of Johannesburg-based IRS Forensic Investigations, recently expressed his concern over a growing trend where individuals with links to organized crime employ private security firms to act as their muscle.
Thomas highlighted this issue to TimesLive following a fatal shooting that occurred at a restaurant in Sandton, Gauteng, earlier this month when a patron and his bodyguard refused to comply with the venue’s no-firearm policy, which escalated into a violent altercation with security.
“Moneyed individuals who are bad actors or have links to the underworld are buying up security companies,” said Thomas.
“We’re seeing this all the time. These bad actors use fronts to buy up security companies, leveraging them for their egos and as proxy armies.”
When travelling, these individuals often use large convoys with armed personnel eerily similar to those used by high-profile politicians.
The political convoys are no stranger to controversy, as they have been at the centre of multiple public outcries following incidents in which the security forces threatened and assaulted other road users.
Consequently, these convoys, which use blue lights to signal their approach to other cars as they speed along the highway, have been labelled “blue light bullies” by the public.
In light of this, it is deeply concerning to learn that individuals with no accountability are now using similar tactics by hiring private security to escort them everywhere, creating a worrying road presence for other motorists to be aware of.
“They are using security companies now to settle scores, to bully and harass. It’s a deplorable situation where money can buy you a militia,” Thomas said.
Unfortunately, the use of these companies also creates an air of legitimacy, which means it is less likely that law enforcement will intervene when the personnel are involved in unscrupulous activities.
The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) is meant to regulate the use of these companies, but is struggling to keep up.
Gareth Newham from the Institute for Security Studies explained that the PSiRA is understaffed and underfunded to monitor the more than 16,000 security firms operating in South Africa.
In its 2023/24 annual report, PSiRA completed compliance inspections for 7,886 companies – less than half of those in operation – leaving significant gaps in enforcement that allows mafia-style behaviour to slip through the cracks.
Loading ...
