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.

Stop amendments to PSiRA regulations, demands AfriForum amid Matlala scandal

Soundbite: Jacques Broodryk (English)

Soundbite: Jacques Broodryk (Afrikaans)

The Matlala scandal, involving Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala, the controversial businessman and owner of several private security companies, shows, according to AfriForum, that systemic corruption and a lack of law enforcement at the Private Security Industry Regulator (PSiRA) are extensive and have now reached crisis proportions. AfriForum therefore maintains that these issues require urgent attention rather than amendments to regulations in terms of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act and, considering the latest revelations in the Matlala case, insists that the proposed amendments to regulations for the private security industry must be stopped immediately.

AfriForum further calls for an independent ad hoc investigation to investigate links between PSiRA and criminal networks. This request stems from the revelation that the arsenal of more than 40 firearms confiscated from businesswoman Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize’s home in November last year belonged to Matlala. AfriForum argues that the investigation must, among other things, determine how Matlala, who in addition to the latest scandal has already clashed with the law several times, still manages to obtain PSiRA accreditation for his security companies.

In addition to the investigation into PSiRA’s criminal links, AfriForum also insists that the proposed amendments to regulations for the private security industry be halted. AfriForum also demands that disciplinary action and criminal prosecution be taken against PSiRA officials and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) who facilitated Matlala’s activities. Finally, the organisation insists on transparency regarding PSiRA firearms accreditation procedures and the influence of political interference in the awarding of high-risk security contracts.

According to Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety, Matlala’s latest scandal points to a seriously compromised regulatory system. “This system has seemingly allowed Matlala’s companies to operate with impunity, despite the various criminal charges, questionable government tenders and ongoing investigations with which this tenderpreneur is associated,” Broodryk explains. “It is now clear that the regulatory crisis in the private security sector is not due to inadequate legislation or regulations, but to the failure of PSiRA and other law enforcement agencies to enforce existing laws in this industry.”

Even two months after the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police raised questions, PSiRA – which is supposed to uphold the integrity of the private security industry – has been unable to provide any credible explanation as to why Matlala was still allowed to operate his businesses freely. The regulator’s claim that “no violations could be found” is not consistent with the overwhelming evidence.

The people of the country deserve a professional and transparent private security sector committed to legitimate service – not one that is hijacked by criminal syndicates enabled by political allies and failed regulators.