Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

New PSIRA regulations may put prison security at risk

Soundbite: Jacques Broodryk (English)

Klankgreep: Jacques Broodryk (Afrikaans)

AfriForum has submitted a formal request under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to the Department of Correctional Services, demanding full transparency on the internal risk assessments or policy documents that evaluate how the proposed amendments to the regulations in terms of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act (PSIRA) could impact the safety and stability of prison operations.

These amendments, if enacted, could severely limit the powers and functionality of private security companies — even in high-risk environments like correctional centres. AfriForum is demanding answers from the Department on the extent to which correctional facilities rely on private security companies and how the limitations proposed by amendments to the regulations will be managed in environments where security is non-negotiable.

In its request, AfriForum specifically highlights the Mangaung Correctional Centre as an example of a facility managed by a private security company. Private security guards here play a central role in the daily operations and control of one of South Africa’s largest prisons.

“It is absolutely ludicrous that government would consider practically disarming private security officers while depending on them to help control and secure prisons. If these amendments are passed, we could soon have prison guards legally barred from carrying firearms or less-lethal tools in facilities housing some of the country’s most dangerous criminals,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety.

The implications are staggering and AfriForum believes that attention should be drawn to the concerning aspects of the proposed regulations, like:

Disarmament on suspicion: Prohibiting security companies from issuing firearms to their officers if the company is under investigation, regardless of whether any formal charges have been laid.
Prohibition on firearms in public spaces: Restricting armed officers’ presence in public spaces, which could include prison perimeters, transportation corridors, and courts.
Unclear restrictions on ammunition: Restricting possession of ammunition to a “reasonable” quantity but not providing clarity on the proposed limit, which could endanger lives during riots or escape attempts.
Unrealistic firearm tracking: Requiring tracking technology on security companies’ firearms – a standard not even expected from the South African Police Service (SAPD) or the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
Ban on less-lethal devices: Banning less-lethal weapons such as rubber bullets, tasers, and water cannons, which are vital in managing inmate violence and prison unrest.

“If the state believes these restrictions are viable, then it must explain how some prisons will continue to function under them. If private security guards can’t be armed or use less-lethal devices, the question must be asked: Who exactly will help to control unrests in prisons? The proposed amendments to the regulations are not just impractical, they are dangerous and delusional,” Broodryk adds.

AfriForum will continue to oppose the proposed amendments to these regulations and urges the public to join its campaign to protect the private security industry – an industry that is critical in maintaining citizens’ safety. The deadline for public submissions is 25 April 2025. Add your name here to help protect our protectors.