Opposing the Proposed PSIRA Regulations - What You Need to Know

The South African private security industry, a critical component of our nation's safety infrastructure, faces devastating regulatory changes. Proposed amendments to the Private Security Industry Regulations, spearheaded by Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, have sparked widespread concern and opposition. Amongst others, we understand the gravity of these proposed changes and are committed to keeping our clients and partners informed.

ISSUE TO BE ADDRESSED

The proposed amendments, as published in the Government Gazette No. 52388 on 28 March 2025 under Notice 3088, aim to unjustly tighten firearm control within the private security sector. However, industry experts, including the South African Gun Owners Association (SAGA) amongst others, argue that these changes are extremely restrictive, vague, and operationally unsound.

Key Concerns:

1. Effect on Operational Limits: Regulations that prohibit security firms from issuing firearms if they are under investigation, regardless of the validity of the claims, will severely disrupt and cripple operations.
2. Unrealistic and Unachievable Conditions suggested by the Imbecilic Proposed Regulations: Failure to meet the proposed restrictions and conditions under which firearms may be used by armed private security officers operating in public spaces such as malls, schools and hospitals, will most definitely prevent essential armed response services resulting in potential loss of life.
3. Assessment of Security Officers to the satisfaction of the Authority (Section (8)(f):  The referenced Authority is not comprised of medical experts and the “satisfaction of the Authority” can be compared to the question: “how long is a piece of string?” This is a financially unviable proposal and vague to say the least. Neither the South African Police Service (SAPS) or the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are currently subjected to any such stringent and unrealistic testing regimes for operational readiness.
4. Tracking of Firearms: Whether the technology exists or not, the requirement for firearm tracking devices is a guaranteed way to incite and promote organised crime such as Cash-in-Transit (CIT) Robberies and Poaching, to name but a few. The current regulators do not have sufficient expertise or the capability to effectively enforce current legislation. How will they be able to do this?
5. Disabling Security Capabilities: The proposed restrictions on semi-automatic rifles nullify the effectiveness of tactical intervention teams to high-risk threats, leaving them unequipped to handle the same, yet again with the certainty of loss of life.
6. Widespread Multi Demographical Economic Impact: The private security sector contributes significantly to the South African economy, and these proposed regulations will most certainly destabilise the industry, leading to job losses, and increased economic strain which will lead to wide-spread chaos.

Focal Points within the Industry:

1. SANSEA, SASA, SIATSA and SAGA, along with various other industry stakeholders strongly oppose these unrealistic and ludicrous proposed amendments.
2. The above mentioned entities together with the greater public are calling for the withdrawal of the proposed amendments.
3. The call for a transparent and thorough stakeholder consultation process is blissfully absent. This is clear from the current Police Summit, where none of the industry experts and/or organisations were included or consulted.  
4. PSIRA’s Manabela Chauke has stated that the regulations are being read, and constructive comments are being sought. Merely trying to pass severe regulations such as these and then providing an opportunity for public comment to be sent to the incorrect address, is tantamount to gross misconduct and the deliberate misleading of the general public.  

Our Statement:

1. We understand the profound threat these regulations pose to the private security industry and the safety and security of our nation’s citizens.
2. After publishing of the proposed gazetted amendments, we immediately took proactive steps by organising an emergency meeting with private security companies to address the proposed amendments and to create a forum that represents the small to medium companies that were not consulted by any of the aforementioned entities. The turn-out was impressive to say the least, which was a clear indication that although we are rivals every other day, we now have a common adversary.  
3. It is important for the private gun owners in South Africa, that should the proposed regulations be enacted, the next target will be our personal firearms.
4. We want to assure our clients and partners that we will not stand down as a collective in the face of this challenge. We are not prepared to give an inch and should not be “bullied” into doing so by an inept and unqualified entity, not capable of regulating current legislation on the topic. We are committed to working tirelessly alongside our industry partners to vehemently oppose these regulations to ensure effective private security available to all South Africans.

Objective Call to Action

The deadline for submitting comments on the proposed amendments is 25 April 2025. We urge all stakeholders, clients, peers and members of the general public to make their voices heard by following the link below to comment on the proposed regulations. Your personal details are not required, and all comments will be sent directly to the correct e-mail address: https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/v0fne9