Private security 'corrupt'
2004-09-24 22:24
Lizel Steenkamp
Johannesburg ? Private security watchdog Sira says this industry is a network of corruption that includes crime syndicates and alleged police involvement and is being used as a front for foreign intelligence services.
Sira, the regulating authority for the private security industry, urgently appealed to the police and the South African intelligence community to step in because it was becoming increasingly difficult to regulate the industry.
This call for help followed on an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Joshua Jele, 74, the chairperson of Sira, in front of his Johannesburg home.
Pressure groups opposed to the regulation of the industry were believed to have been behind the attack.
Sira legal advisor Prof Hans Visser said there has been tension between Sira and certain members of the private security industry since 2002. He did not provide details, but said the "statement could be supported by facts".
Sira director Seth Mogapi said "certain foreign intelligence services have infiltrated South Africa" and were working under the cloak of private security companies.
Mogapi said some security companies provided an opportunity to South Africans to become involved in illegal mercenary activities.
"The weapons and knowledge of the local industry could present a potential danger to other African countries."
Sira was also concerned about the large number of local security companies under foreign control.
Visser said: "This creates a safety risk, because it means foreign companies are responsible for the safety of South Africans. We don't know their agenda."
Sira alleged that corruption was increased by members of the SA Police Service with interests and shares in the security industry. Visser said some companies were using police resources.
Using police vehicles for patrols
He said: "We have operational information confirming this. An Mpumalanga company even uses police vehicles for its patrols."
Director Sally de Beer said police were not aware of this, and requested Sira to provide the names of police members thus involved.
"Senior police officers are required to declare extra income and whether they have business interests. The law forbids police officers to be involved in the security industry because it would constitute conflicting interests."
Visser said syndicates used some companies as a front for becoming involved in organised crime. He said Sira was at present investigating a car theft syndicate operating in this way.
He said some companies in Mpumalanga and Limpopo were used illegal immigrants as cheap labour. "These people were not trained as security guards and Sira cannot check their crime records."
Mogapi said Sira was concerned about the involvement of members of the former regime's security forces in the private security industry.
"Members who served under the previous regime were involved in serious human rights violations. Some of them are still dangerous."
- Beeld