Insights: Enhanced Psira regulations vs the Security Industry
35th Edition
1. Featured articles
This week we look at South Africa’s Private Security Industry Facing Regulatory Storm and a new threat targeting your mobile device: Whatsapp hacking.
Plus: Job interview tips & The Role of a Guarding Area Manager.
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3. South Africa’s Private Security Industry Facing Regulatory Storm
Industry Published on 13 June 2025 By Ricardo Teixeira
At Securex 2025, Tony Botes, National Administrator of the South African Security Association (SASA), delivered a stark and impassioned assessment of the state of the private security industry in South Africa. His presentation was as much a call to arms as it was a warning about the mounting challenges faced by a sector increasingly burdened by regulatory pressure and government neglect.
Industry Overview and Growth
Botes began by detailing the substantial growth of the private security sector since 2001. Despite the absence of direct government funding, the industry has expanded to support state law enforcement, effectively plugging the gap left by a chronically under-resourced South African Police Service (SAPS). This growth, however, comes at a steep cost, both financial and human, for the companies and officers involved.
Regulatory Clampdown
The most contentious part of Botes’ presentation centred on proposed amendments from the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). Without prior consultation, PSIRA has published regulations that significantly restrict the operational capabilities of private security firms. These include:
Limitations or outright bans on the use of semi-automatic firearms,
Prohibitions on non-lethal weapons such as water cannons, rubber bullets, and even handcuffs and batons.
These moves, Botes argued, are not only impractical but also duplicative, given that similar restrictions already exist under Section 21 of the Firearms Control Act.
Botes also questioned PSIRA’s ability to enforce these rules, citing its already overstretched inspectorate and failure to address the proliferation of unregistered security providers.
Legal Battles on the Horizon
SASA and various industry stakeholders are preparing to oppose these regulations through the courts. Botes made it clear that the fight will go all the way to the Constitutional Court if necessary.
He also criticised recent moves by the Department of Trade and Industry to ban the importation of blank firearms, calling the rationale “ludicrous”, and noting that the draft legislation does not yet ban possession, but likely will.
Employment Equity Targets and Data Control
Further concerns were raised about the Department of Labour’s new Employment Equity targets, which Botes described as “unconstitutional, unrealistic and unattainable”. Legal challenges from both employers and civic bodies are expected.
Lastly, he highlighted a newly published gazette by the City of Johannesburg, claiming ownership of all CCTV footage from public roads, including footage captured by privately funded and maintained cameras. Botes criticised the lack of consultation and questioned whether this move amounts to “expropriation without compensation”.
Botes closed by reiterating the private security industry’s vital role in national safety and civic stability, and by stressing the need for continued legal vigilance and unity within the industry.
His message was clear: the sector stands at a crossroads, facing a wave of impractical and overreaching legislation that threatens its ability to function. But it is also prepared to fight, legally, publicly, and collectively, for its survival and continued contribution to national security.
Source: https://www.protectionweb.co.za/industry/south-africas-private-security-industry-facing-regulatory-storm/
4. Interview Q & A
How to Answer the Interview Question: “What is the most difficult situation you have faced as a security officer?”
Why Do Recruiters Ask This Question?
This question is designed to assess your problem-solving skills, emotional control, and professional judgement under pressure. Security work often involves unpredictable and high-pressure situations. Recruiters want to understand:
How you react in critical or high-risk moments
Whether you can follow protocol and remain calm
How you balance safety, legal guidelines, and customer service
What you’ve learned from the experience
It’s also a test of your communication skills—can you explain a complex situation clearly and responsibly, without placing blame or revealing sensitive details?
How to Structure Your Answer
Use the STAR method:
Situation – Briefly describe the context
Task – Explain your role or responsibility
Action – Detail what you did to handle the situation
Result – Explain the outcome and what you learned
Keep your answer professional. Choose a real scenario that shows your ability to think clearly, manage risk, and maintain control without becoming emotional or defensive.
Sample Answer
"One of the most difficult situations I faced was during a night shift at a commercial building where I was responsible for perimeter patrols and access control. At around 2 AM, I noticed suspicious activity near one of the back loading bays. I approached and discovered a group of individuals attempting to break in. I immediately notified the control room and requested backup as per protocol. While maintaining a safe distance, I used my torch and voice to deter the intruders and managed to keep them in view until backup arrived. They fled when they realised they’d been detected, and we later found evidence of forced entry tools. I completed an incident report and assisted SAPS with follow-up information.
The situation was tense, but I stayed calm and followed procedures. It taught me the importance of staying alert, trusting my training, and never acting impulsively. Since then, I’ve also helped train newer officers on incident response during their onboarding."
Why This Works
This answer:
Describes a real, high-pressure incident
Shows the candidate acted responsibly and followed correct procedures
Demonstrates calmness, communication with the team, and understanding of safety protocols
Ends with a lesson learned, showing personal and professional growth
What If You Haven’t Faced a Major Incident Yet?
Even if you haven't been involved in a high-stakes situation, you can still describe a challenging moment where you applied good judgement.
Alternative Answer:
"While I haven’t yet faced a major security breach, one challenging situation involved dealing with a tenant who was intoxicated and causing a disturbance in a residential complex. The person was loud, aggressive, and upsetting other residents. I calmly approached, maintained a safe distance, and used verbal de-escalation techniques to calm them down while I waited for the control room to send additional support. It was a good test of my communication and self-control. I’ve since done additional training in conflict management to better prepare for similar situations."
Final Tips
Stay professional and avoid blaming others
Focus on how you handled the situation, not just what happened
Show initiative, maturity, and accountability
Avoid sharing situations where you broke protocol, acted emotionally, or escalated the issue unnecessarily
Conclusion
Every security officer will face difficult situations—it comes with the territory. How you respond speaks volumes about your readiness, professionalism, and value to a team. Use this question to highlight your skills, judgement, and growth.
5. Career Spotlight: The Role of a Guarding Area Manager in the Security Industry
In South Africa’s ever-evolving security landscape, the role of a Guarding Area Manager is a key link between frontline personnel and senior management. Responsible for overseeing multiple guarding contracts and teams across a specific region, the Area Manager plays a strategic and operational role in ensuring the quality, compliance, and effectiveness of security services.
Whether managing guards at shopping centres, logistics hubs, office parks, or residential estates, the Area Manager is expected to maintain high service standards, drive client satisfaction, and ensure PSIRA and site-specific compliance at all times.
What Does a Guarding Area Manager Do?
A Guarding Area Manager oversees several sites and is responsible for supervising the security staff assigned to those locations. This includes ensuring that service delivery is on track, client expectations are met, and guards are performing their duties as required. The Area Manager also plays a pivotal role in staff management, performance monitoring, and incident resolution.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Site Inspections
Conduct regular inspections across sites to ensure SOPs, dress codes, and performance standards are being upheld.Staff Supervision and Support
Motivate, discipline, train, and support team leaders, supervisors, and guards in the field.Client Relationship Management
Act as the point of contact for clients across all sites, handling queries, complaints, and ensuring contract retention through excellent service.Reporting and Compliance
Submit operational reports, conduct incident investigations, and ensure compliance with PSIRA, OHSA, and internal company policies.Rostering and Resource Management
Ensure proper staffing levels, manage absenteeism, and support the deployment of relief officers when needed.Operational Readiness
Ensure guards are properly equipped, briefed, and deployed. Monitor shift handovers and flag operational risks.Incident Management
Respond to and investigate major incidents, working closely with law enforcement, clients, and control room operators.
Skills and Competencies Required
To be effective in this role, a Guarding Area Manager should possess:
Excellent organisational and time-management skills
Strong leadership and communication ability
Knowledge of PSIRA legislation and sector regulations
Sound understanding of security protocols and emergency procedures
Ability to work under pressure and solve problems quickly
Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel between sites
Computer literacy for report writing and system monitoring
Qualifications and Experience
PSIRA Grade A registration is generally required.
A qualification in Security Management or Business Administration is beneficial.
Previous experience as a Site Supervisor, Control Room Operator, or Branch Administrator is often a stepping stone into this role.
Strong track record of team management and client service is essential.
Career Path and Growth Opportunities
Guarding Area Managers often progress from site-based supervisory roles. With experience and continued performance, they can move into positions such as:
Regional Manager
Operations Manager
Branch Manager
National Guarding Manager
Continuous professional development, including short courses in leadership, health and safety, and advanced security practices, can enhance career mobility.
Conclusion
The role of a Guarding Area Manager is ideal for security professionals who enjoy a fast-paced, multi-site environment and have a strong ability to lead teams and build client trust. As a vital part of the operational structure, Area Managers ensure that the security company delivers on its promises, maintains legal compliance, and supports both its clients and personnel on the ground.
For those looking to grow their careers in the security sector, this role offers both challenge and reward—and serves as a key stepping stone to senior management.
6. WhatsApp hacking rising in South Africa
MTN has warned South Africans that there is a rise in WhatsApp hacking, where criminals gain unauthorised access to accounts.
It explained that fraudsters use various methods, such as SIM swap fraud, phishing and public Wi-Fi attacks, to gain access to a person’s WhatsApp account.
They aim to steal personal information or money or use the stolen WhatsApp account for nefarious purposes.
To avoid being hacked, MTN advised WhatsApp users to turn on two-step verification to add an extra layer of protection.
This requires a PIN in addition to the verification code, making it harder for anyone to access your account even if they get the code.
It also urged users to be cautious of suspicious messages and links. “Do not click on suspicious links or download files from unknown sources,” MTN said.
“WhatsApp does not ask for your personal information via messages, so avoid sharing details like your verification code.”
It further advised users to never share their 6-digit verification code with anyone. Scammers can use it to hack into a WhatsApp account.
MTN said users should avoid using public Wi-Fi when doing sensitive transactions, as it could expose their data to attackers.
“Avoid accessing WhatsApp or entering sensitive information while connected to unsecured networks,” it said.
A very important piece of advice to protect against getting hacked is to only install the official WhatsApp.
“Download WhatsApp only from official sources like Google Play Store, Huawei AppGallery or Apple App Store to avoid fake apps that might steal your information,” MTN said.
Users should also regularly update their phones’ operating systems and apps to ensure they have the latest security controls, making it harder for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities.
MTN further advised South Africans to use WhatsApp’s fingerprint or face recognition lock feature.
This will ensure that no one can access WhatsApp even if they have physical access to people’s smartphone.
Source: https://businesstech.co.za/news/internet/795187/whatsapp-hacking-warning-in-south-africa/
In conclusion:
That’s it for this week’s edition! We hope you found it informative and of value. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with your colleagues.
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