Shopping complex security offense
Police and Psira join forces to clean up security industry
In a joint operation police officers from Honeydew police station together with inspectors from Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira) carried out a massive blitz at shopping complexes in the area. It took place on Thursday 17 October with the aim of checking and verifying the legibility of security guards.
Centres included Northgate Shopping Centre, Boskruin Shopping Centre, Allens Nek Retail Park, Rock Cottage Centre, and Honeydew Shopping Centre.
The operation formed part of Psira’s routine inspections to detect possible contraventions of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act; to sniff out security officers operating whilst not trained and registered as well as security companies that employ unregistered security personnel.
According to Psira regulations, whether operating as an individual or working for a company, a guard must be registered with them. Operating without being registered is illegal and a chargeable offence.
Psira spokesperson Maggie Moroaswi said registered security guards are essential in the fight against crime. “Proper training ensures that security officers are equipped to carry out their duties in protecting the country, its assets and most importantly its citizens.”
During the raid on 17 October 13 security guards were arrested for rendering security services without being registered and criminal cases have been opened against three security companies for employing unregistered security guards. If found guilty of improper conduct in terms of procedures as stated in the Psira Regulation Act, companies are subject to the following;
- warning or reprimand
- suspension of registration as a security service provider
- withdrawal of registration as security service providerfine not exceeding R10 000 which is payable to the authority
- publication of appropriate details of the conviction of improper conduct and any penalty imposed
Details: Psira, Maggie Moroaswi 012 003 0505
