New proposed security regulations will harm SA

ON March 28, Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, published draft amendments to regulations overseeing the Private Security Industry in the Government Gazette.

- LORENZO A DAVIDS

Despite the minister stating that the proposed regulations are published for public comment after consultation with the Council of the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority, the industry has received it with a sense of great concern at the published regulations.

While South Africans everywhere - from families to schools to churches and big and small businesses - rely on the private security industry to cope with South Africa's pronounced new wave in security protections, the carrying of guns by security officers in public spaces sparks ranks, cemeteries, stadiums, shopping malls, churches, restaurants, parks, hospitals, schools, and other similar establishments.

One can understand that some disturbing developments over the last 10 years, where pastors arrived at churches, in nauseating affluence, with arrogant bodyguards riding 'shot-gun' and publicly displaying automatic weapons, might have partially influenced the minister's views.