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The South African Gun Owners Association says sweeping, draft regulatory amendments that were “slipped” into the government gazette last month, will decimate South Africa’s private security sector.
SAGA was reacting to the publication in the government gazette in March of a raft of draft amendments to the Private Security Industry Regulation Act for public comment.
The Association said that with over 580,000 security officers serving millions of clients and plugging gaps left by a failing SAPS, the industry is a cornerstone of national safety.
It noted in a Facebook post that the proposals by the Private Security Industry Regulations that the amendments threaten to, among others, ban armed guards from working if their company is merely under investigation, not convicted, but just accused.
SAGA said the amendments also seek to restrict firearm use in public spaces, impose undefined limits on ammunition and mandate annual, employer-funded, psychological test with no clarity on standards.
It further seeks to “outlaw” vital tools like rubber bullets, water cannons and tasers, while also clamping down on semi-automatic rifles which SAGA said would “cripple high-risk units and mine security.”
The draft amendments require security companies to meet certain requirements if they want to use any of the weapons listed as prohibited, which include applying for permission to the Authority within seven days of intention to use “prohibited weapons” as well as other relevant information.
“This is bureaucratic overreach masquerading as reform. Instead of targeting rogue firms and fake contractors exploiting PSIRA and SAPS inefficiencies, the proposals kneecap legitimate companies trying to keep South Africans safe,” said SAGA’s Gideon Joubert.
The police minister, Senzo Mchunu said the amendments were made following consultations with the Private Security Regulatory Authority.
“These regulations are called the Amendments to the Private Security Industry Regulations, 2002, and come into operation, unless otherwise specified, 180 days from the publication in this Gazette,” Mchunu said.
Attorney Martin Hood, who produced a video on the regulations earlier, said the proposals will severely limit the ability of the security industry to do their jobs, which he said should “really” be done by the police.
“There are no alternatives suggested here, by the way, that the police may be better at their job,” said Hood.
He cautioned that the cost of security services will go up through no fault of the security industry.
Interested parties have until 25 April to submit their comments to PSIRA.
