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Urgent concerns over proposed amendments to Private Security Industry Regulations

On 28 March, draft amendments to the Private Security Industry Regulations were published in the Government Gazette. These proposed changes pose severe risks to the private security industry, affecting businesses, employees, clients and overall public safety. Stakeholders have until 25 April 2025 to submit their objections.

The proposed amendments to the Private Security Industry Regulations pose a direct threat to the safety and security of millions of South Africans. By imposing excessive restrictions on private security firms – limiting their access to firearms, burdening them with unworkable regulations and creating loopholes that could shut them down without due process – these changes will effectively disarm the very people tasked with protecting homes, businesses and communities. Meanwhile, violent criminals, syndicates and illegal armed groups will continue to operate unchecked, emboldened by a weakened security sector. Instead of addressing crime, these amendments will strip law-abiding security officers of the tools they need to defend lives and property, leaving ordinary citizens more vulnerable than ever.

Some of the major issues include the following:

Key issues concerning the amendments

1. Threat to business operations

• Security firms could be prohibited from issuing firearms to their officers merely if they are under investigation, even without formal charges (regulation 13A(1)(j) and (k)).
• This creates a high potential for abuse, allowing malicious claims to cripple businesses, leading to loss of contracts and business closures.

2. Restrictions on armed security in public spaces

• Security officers would be prohibited from carrying firearms in public spaces unless strict conditions are met (regulation 13A(1)(q)).
• This could prevent armed response teams from protecting clients in malls, schools, churches and homes.

3. Unclear and unworkable ammunition limits

• The amendments cap ammunition to a “reasonable” quantity (regulation 13A(1)(s)) – but without defining what is “reasonable”.
• Different security tasks require varying ammunition levels, making compliance with this provision subjective and impractical.

4. Severe restrictions on semi-automatic rifles

• Security firms will need special approval to use semi-automatic rifles, limiting the effectiveness of high-risk security teams (regulation 13A(12) and (13)).
• Mine security, anti-hijacking units and cash-in-transit teams will be severely impacted.

5. Unrealistic firearm tracking requirements

• A mandate to install tracking devices on all firearms is included (regulation 13A(16)).
• Private security firms are already subjected to rigorous record keeping regarding the issuing of firearms as well as the appointment of a specific responsible person for keeping record of such activities.

6. Ban on essential less-lethal tools

• Security firms would be prohibited from using rubber bullets, water cannons and tasers (stun guns) (regulation 13B(17)).
• These are critical tools for crowd control and public safety.

The private security industry is already heavily regulated. These amendments add costly, vague and restrictive measures that could force firms to shut down, leaving millions without protection. Instead of overregulation, the focus should be on enforcing existing laws to root out criminal elements.