Private Security Outshines the Failing SAPS

South Africa has recently witnessed a drastic increase in mass shootings, drug busts, and the exposure of serious crimes nationwide, signaling a rise in hardcore crime, as highlighted by crime statistics released by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Most importantly, this reveals how ill-equipped the South African Police Service (SAPS) is to tackle the country’s high crime rates. Four out of nine provinces have reported increases in murder cases, with most incidents occurring at the residential premises of either the perpetrator or the victim.

 

The Lusikisiki mass shooting is sadly only the tip of the iceberg in a wave of violent crimes that South Africans endure daily. While recent police successes in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and drug busts at OR Tambo International Airport are commendable, they remain rare achievements for the SAPS. Minister Mchunu’s police force urgently needs revitalization and support to curb the escalating crime rates.

 

Though South Africa has one of the highest murder rates globally, homicide is not the only pressing issue. Gender-based violence, rape, cash-in-transit heists, extortion, hijackings, and kidnappings for ransom persist as significant challenges. With no immediate solutions in sight, South Africans feel unsafe in their communities. SAPS remains under-resourced and ill-prepared to confront these issues effectively.

 

A recent Bloomberg article by S'thembile Cele and Khuleko Siwelo highlights how private security is filling the void as the nation struggles with rising murder and kidnapping rates. According to the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority’s (PSIRA) 2022/23 report, South Africa has over 15,000 active registered security businesses and more than 500,000 active guards. Over the past decade, the number of private security firms has grown from just under 10,000 to 15,000.

 

In Durban, a new security company established after the 2021 civil unrest in KZN reflects the public’s reliance on private security, as SAPS and Metro Police often fail to respond effectively during crises. Private security now outnumbers SAPS personnel by at least four to one.

 

With advanced crime-fighting technology and quick response times, private security has become a preferred choice for South Africans seeking protection. One of Minister Mchunu’s priorities is investing in technology to improve SAPS’s crime-fighting abilities. At a recent press briefing on crime statistics in Cape Town, Mchunu emphasized, “Investing in advanced tools and systems that enhance our investigative capabilities and improve our response times. Technology will be at the forefront of our efforts to combat crime more efficiently and effectively.”

 

While private security companies are accustomed to the latest technology, SAPS is only now considering similar investments, underscoring how far it lags behind. SAPS operates more as a reactionary force than a proactive one, often appearing two steps behind criminals, with detective capabilities remaining a significant concern.

 

Many skilled and experienced officers have left SAPS to join private security, highlighting the police force’s limitations and private security’s advancements. SAPS recently launched a recruitment drive to re-enlist former officers who left the force in good standing to strengthen its detective capacity. In the 2023/2024 financial year, SAPS re-enlisted over 200 former officers, now serving as detectives. However, the need to bring these returning officers up to speed underscores SAPS’s shortcomings.

 

Despite SAPS’s flaws, private security also poses risks. The recent arrest of 95 Libyan nationals in Mpumalanga raised significant concerns about South Africa’s private security industry. The group, reportedly living on a military base since April, allegedly entered the country under false pretences to train as security personnel. SABC News Economics editor Tshepo Mongoai pointed out that issues in the private security sector - such as insufficient background checks, potential criminals working as security agents, and access to ammunition - contribute to the illegal arms trade.

 

Although private security companies are ahead of SAPS, the two sectors often collaborate, sharing the goal of public safety in South Africa. In KZN, the police minister has committed to partnering with private security companies to improve safety in the province’s only metro. Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi appears to lead a well-coordinated team, with frequent reports of major police raids and operations in the region.

 

This success raises questions: why was this effectiveness not seen under Bheki Cele? Why are similar efforts absent in other provinces? Will these improvements be sustained, or will they be short-lived?

 

Since taking office, Minister Mchunu has shown a level of urgency that contrasts sharply with his predecessor Bheki Cele’s tenure, which was marked by media theatrics, stylish hats, and controversies like the Senzo Meyiwa case, ending with a legacy of unfulfilled promises. Under Mchunu’s leadership, successful raids and operations have notably increased across the country. Policing expert Johan Burger advised Mchunu not to repeat Cele’s mistakes, stressing the importance of strategy over showmanship in tackling crime.

 

During a recent engagement with frustrated residents in the gang-ridden Western Cape, Mchunu was urged to avoid making empty promises like his predecessor. Community stakeholders, including neighbourhood watch groups and Community Policing Forums, highlighted key issues such as understaffed police stations, outdated equipment, and dysfunctional vehicles. They also expressed concerns about insufficient police visibility and the deteriorating state of local police stations.

 

With new leadership, the Police Ministry is undergoing a much-needed revival. The rise of private security reflects SAPS’s unpreparedness and the erosion of public trust due to unresolved cases, lost dockets, and instances of police involvement in crime. Until SAPS can effectively address issues like gender-based violence, gangsterism in the Western Cape, and rampant illegal mining, Mchunu’s tenure cannot be deemed a success. He faces the daunting task of restoring public trust and proving that he has a concrete plan to ensure the safety of South Africans.

 

Enzokuhle Sabela is final year journalism student at Durban University of Technology and a 200 Young South Africans Mail & Guardian 2024 winner.

 

 

 

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