With demonstrations against illegal immigration set to take place across South Africa today, the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) says it is working closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to help maintain public safety and safeguard the country’s stability.
PSiRA was among representatives of the private security industry who recently met Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors ahead of the planned demonstrations.
PSiRA Acting Deputy Director for Training and Communications, Hofney Moepi, said the meeting recognised the critical role the private security industry could play as a force multiplier in support of SAPS during periods of heightened security concerns and increased public mobilisation.
“The meeting emphasised the importance of combining the capabilities and resources of both the public and private sectors. Enhanced information sharing, coordinated planning and the pooling of resources were identified as key measures to effectively manage security risks during this period,” said Moepi.
She said the industry had completed its preparations and was ready to support law enforcement efforts across the country.
“All our registered security officers have undergone training that equips them to conduct themselves appropriately during periods of heightened security concerns and increased public mobilisation. We also have a law enforcement unit that will be deployed across the country to assist and work closely with the police during the demonstrations,” she said.
Moepi also sought to reassure the public that lessons had been learnt from the July 2021 unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, when concerns were raised about some private security companies overstepping their legal mandate.
“We have spent the past few days ensuring that both the industry and the public understand their rights and responsibilities, including the need to report any violations committed by security officers or security companies,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structures (NATJOINTS), Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili, has assured South Africans that authorities are prepared to ensure public safety and that today will remain a normal working day.
She said thousands of law enforcement officers from SAPS, metro police departments, provincial traffic services and other agencies had been deployed nationwide.
“Specialised operational capabilities, including Public Order Policing, Tactical Response Teams, the National Intervention Unit, the Special Task Force, Air Wing, K9 units, mounted units, detectives and intelligence personnel, have been strategically positioned and remain on standby,” said Mosikili.
She added that critical infrastructure, national key points, transport routes, ports of entry, airports, healthcare facilities, shopping centres and other strategic installations would receive enhanced protection as authorities monitored the situation throughout the day.
