Private security companies: A new source of law and order?

15 November 2023

It is the police service’s responsibility to prevent crime, uphold the law, deal with crime-related emergencies and provide support, and they play an important role in maintaining public order. And enforcing the law within their jurisdiction. The police service also exists to deter potential offenders by prosecuting offenders. Police officers have the power to enforce laws, investigate individuals and if necessary, arrest alleged criminals. But what happens when they fail in these responsibilities? The citizens of societies with governments that fulfil their responsibilities trust that the police will fulfil these roles with efficiency and integrity, but what happens when it is no longer the case?

Crime is on the increase on a daily basis, which undoubtedly indicates that criminals are no longer scared of the police – while most citizens live in fear because of corrupt police officers. A recent example is the blue light brigade that allegedly attacked motorists on the N1 highway. A further concern is the shortage of basic resources in the police service. It was recently reported that there is an imbalance between the number of police personnel and the large population they have to serve. These shortages and imbalance contribute to the challenges the police are confronted with.

Between 2019 and 2021 alone it was reported that 13 police stations in South Africa were robbed of firearms and ammunition by criminals. In 2018/19 three police stations were robbed, during which 18 firearms were stolen, including pistols, guns and shotguns; as well as 235 rounds of ammunition. Eventually eight weapons were recovered and ten individuals were arrested.

What is concerning is that none of those who were arrested have been prosecuted as of yet. Two criminal cases were heard in court, but one was later withdrawn. In 2020 two police stations were robbed and eight guns and 277 rounds of ammunition were stolen. The 2020/21 book year a further eight stations were robbed during which 52 guns and 470 rounds of ammunition were stolen – only nine weapons were recovered and only 4 people were arrested in 2021, but no one was prosecuted.

As a result, it is not strange to see that private security companies are hired to protect police stations, a clear sign of the deterioration of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and an indication of South Africa’s endless crime related problems. It is worrying to see that police stations are vandalised and broken into. It undermines the credibility of the police as well as the public’s faith in the police service’s general abilities.

From these examples it is also clear that criminals view police stations as easy targets, something that is extremely concerning. It begs the question: If the police cannot protect themselves, how can they protect regular citizens? One then also wonders, how is it possible that these robberies happen time after time? Why is the police service not able to protect themselves and when did the police become the laughing stock of criminals, and when did they become criminals for the man on the street?

The shortage of vehicles in amongst others Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni also causes major challenges. Not only is the maintenance and repairing of vehicles at both internal workshops and external service providers poor, but unlicenced vehicles also cannot be used before the fines in Johannesburg have been paid. The KwaNobuhle Police Station in Uitenhage is also facing challenges with only seven operational vehicles to their disposal. Another issue is the culture in the police that unfortunately encourages acts of corruption among some officers. This may include accepting bribe money, abuse of power or covering up criminal activities.

In contrast, private security guards are helping the SAPS in its fight against crime every day to the benefit of all South Africans, and they form part of the solution. For every one police officer there are four private security guards, which is at least a substantial alternative. Private security companies have increased drastically in the past few years. This trend is accompanied by communities taking their safety into their own hands in the form of neighbourhood and farm watches, due to concerns about weapon violence, increasing crime statistics and a growing lack of trust in the police.

Community safety structures are increasingly in the spotlight, such as AfriForum’s event at the Voortrekker Monument on 13 October where neighbourhood watches converged. During this event it was evident how volunteers take responsibility for their safety within their communities. These are normal people who sacrifice their time to protect others and make a difference. During this initiative these structures all over the country responded to 145 separate incidents.

In the previous month AfriForum neighbourhood watches in the Strand area made 21 arrests in cooperation with the local police, Fidelity ADT, AM Security and Vetus Schola. Another AfriForum neighbourhood watch, Walker Drive, caught a burglar in Gqeberha in cooperation with Extreme Security and Atlas Security.

This form of crime prevention is often characterised by communities that are very involved in initiatives or projects that are managed by the community members themselves to prevent crime in their own neighbourhoods. Typically, it involves volunteer neighbourhood watches that control certain neighbourhoods, or act as the “eyes and ears” of the police. They organise themselves and report any suspicious activity either to each other or directly to the local police.

John de Villiers, the editor of the LexisDigest writes that the valuable contribution by community organisations, both during and after the lawlessness in KwaZulu-Natal in 2021 emphasises the role neighbourhood watches play, especially when they are working with the SAPS and security agencies. Neighbourhood watches should form an integral part of the community policing philosophy. One which is aimed at resulting in effective crime control through creating proactive partnerships and programmes with communities.

When the police cannot protect themselves or the citizens of South Africa and is instead perceived as a burden on the taxpayer, can one blame the public at all for rather making use of private security companies to protect themselves? Or can some communities be blamed for taking the law into their own hands, since a large percentage of our country’s citizens simply cannot afford private security? The question then comes up whether tax money should be paid for an incompetent police service? Or is it better for communities to support private security companies and community safety structures to protect ourselves and give us peace of mind?  

Zel-Marí Gelderblom is the Coordinator of Content and Media Relations at AfriForum and obtained a master’s degree (cum laude) in Gender Politics at the Nelson Mandela University.