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=== Manned guarding ===
=== Manned guarding ===
Manned guarding is a service where the presence of a security guard ensures the safety of assets, premises or people. In terms of the ''Private Security Industry Regulatory Act'', the grading that a security guard has received determines the type of guarding he or she can perform. Many companies offer manned guarding services, and the majority of workers employed in the industry are employed in this discipline.{{fact|date=October 2009}}
Manned guarding is a service where the presence of a security guard ensures the safety of assets, premises or people. In terms of the ''Private Security Industry Regulatory Act'', the grading that a security guard has received determines the type of guarding he or she can perform. Many companies offer manned guarding services, and the majority of workers employed in the industry are employed in this discipline.{{fact|date=October 2009}}
Gaurds are under paid.Working more than 48 hours with out any off day some with only one off day.


=== Assets in transit (AIT) ===
=== Assets in transit (AIT) ===

Revision as of 17:19, 22 July 2010

The private security industry in South Africa is an industry that provides security, guarding and related services to private individuals and companies. South Africa's private security industry is one of the largest in the world.[citation needed] This is often attributed[according to whom?] to the country's high levels of crime or to a lack of public confidence in the South African Police Service.

Because of a widespread lack of compliance with registration requirements, it is difficult to determine the number of workers in the industry. However, some estimate that it employs as many as 400,000 individuals.[citation needed]

Services offered

Security companies in South Africa provide services in several disciplines. Most security companies specialise in just one of them.[citation needed]

Manned guarding

Manned guarding is a service where the presence of a security guard ensures the safety of assets, premises or people. In terms of the Private Security Industry Regulatory Act, the grading that a security guard has received determines the type of guarding he or she can perform. Many companies offer manned guarding services, and the majority of workers employed in the industry are employed in this discipline.[citation needed] Gaurds are under paid.Working more than 48 hours with out any off day some with only one off day.

Assets in transit (AIT)

AIT refers to the transportation of valuable assets under armed guard, and generally in specialised, armoured vehicles. Most often, money is transported between business premises and banks, but other assets are also transported.

In the past, only a handful of large companies provided an AIT service, but smaller, regional companies have begun to emerge.

AIT operations are frequently the target of violent robberies, called cash-in-transit heists. Many security personnel are killed each year in these attacks, and they have substantially increased the cost of AIT services.[citation needed]

Physical security

Physical security companies install security devices at premises and homes, and in cars. Devices include security fencing, motorised gates and garages, burglar proofing, security doors and gates, locks and safes, car alarms and vehicle tracking systems.

Alarm monitoring and armed response

Alarm monitoring and armed response companies are employed to monitor burglar alarm systems. If an alarm is triggered, the company will dispatch armed security personnel to ensure the safety of property and people. ADT Security Services and Chubb Security are the largest providers of armed response services in South Africa.[citation needed]

Technology

Technology services include the installation of electronic security devices such as CCTV, electronic access control systems and related equipment.

Security consulting

Companies providing security consulting advise their clients on the security measures they need to take to protect their property, businesses or homes.

Security legislation

Since the late 1980s the security industry has been regulated according to the Security Officers Act of 1987.[1] Before 1994[citation needed], security companies had to comply with the requirements of the Security Officers Board (SOB). The SOB determined wages and accreditation, and established a code of behaviour for security companies and their employees.

Many[who?] considered the SOB an ineffective regulator, as it had too few staff, and many security companies did not comply with the regulation requiring them to register themselves and all of their employees with the board. It was therefore unable to compel companies to comply with minimum wage requirements, and prevent them from employing illegal immigrants.[citation needed]

Because of these concerns, the South African parliament enacted the Private Security Industry Regulatory Act, which established the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority. The authority has been more successful at regulating the industry than its predecessor had.[citation needed] The act also created a grading system for security personnel, which determined the duties they were qualified to perform.

Other acts, such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Labour Relations Act, the Skills Development Act and the Employment Equity Act have included measures to improve the working conditions of security workers.

Unlike many other industries in South Africa, the security industry has not had minimum wages and maximum working hours dictated by legislation. Instead, these regulations are determined by a sectoral determination by the labour minister.

Private security legislation does not apply to state law enforcement and security agencies.

Industry bodies

In addition to the regulatory bodies established by the South African government, the security industry has established a number of bodies to regulate itself. Membership in these bodies is voluntary. They include:

  • Security Association of South Africa (SASA), whose membership is open to companies offering any type of security service
  • South African National Security Employers Association (SANSEA), an employers' organization for companies in the security hawgs, barlow industry
  • Electronic Security Distributors Association (ESDA), an association of importers and distributors of electeronic security equipment
  • South African Intruder Detection Services Association (SAIDSA), an association of companies providing alarm monitoring and armed response services
  • Safety & Security Sector Education & Training Authority (SASSETA)
  • Vehicle Security Association of South Africa (VESA)

The industry has no single trade union. Its members are represented by several unions, most of whom are members of the Congress of South African Trade Unions.

Involvement of foreign companies

Several multinational corporations have invested in the South African security industry, and have come to dominate sections of it.[citation needed] These include Tyco International, United Technologies Corporation, and Top Holdings, who operate the companies ADT, Chubb South Africa and Top Security, respectively.

Other multinational corporations that operated in South Africa have sold their local subsidiaries to South African companies, sometimes as part of Black Economic Empowerment deals. These deals include the absorption of Khuselani Springbok by Fidelity.[citation needed]

The South African security companies Fidelity and Coin Security, among others, have themselves established large overseas operations.

2006 strike action

Street violence occurred during the 2006 security strike

In 2006, private security personnel went on strike across South Africa. The strike lasted 96 days and cost the industry more than a million working days.[2] The strike was supported by the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union and 15 other trade unions.[3] The striking workers looted and damaged property, and committed violent crimes.[4][5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Regulation in South Africa". Monograph No 39: Policing for Profit. South African Institute for Security Studies. 1999-08. Retrieved 2009-06-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ http://www.labour.gov.za/downloads/documents/annual-reports/industrial-action-annual-report/2006/Annual Report - Industrial Action Report 2006 - Introduction.pdf, Industrial Action - Annual Report 2006. Department of Labour (South Africa). p. 2. ISBN 978-0-9802645-6-2. {{cite book}}: External link in |last= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ http://www.labour.gov.za/downloads/documents/annual-reports/industrial-action-annual-report/2006/Annual Report - Industrial Action Report 2006 - Introduction.pdf, Industrial Action - Annual Report 2006. Department of Labour (South Africa). p. 3. ISBN 978-0-9802645-6-2. {{cite book}}: External link in |last= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Schroeder, Fatima (2006-04-18). "Shops looted as security strike continues". Cape Times. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  5. ^ "Strike Actions of Security Workers - QUESTIONS TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA". Department of International Relations and Cooperation (South Africa). 2006-05-18. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
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