PSIRA amendments could harm the safety of farming communities

Free State Agriculture has made a submission to PSIRA on proposed amendments to the Private Security Industry, which include strict restrictions on firearm use and mandatory annual mental and physical assessments for security officers.

According to FSA, these amendments will have a negative impact on the functioning of private security services, especially in rural areas where they play a critical role in securing farming communities. Crime in these areas is often committed by armed gangs, and private security serves as an important support to the SAPS within the National Rural Safety Strategy (RSS).

Aspects were identified that will have a detrimental effect on the private security industry as well as the safety of farming communities, namely:
– The restriction on firearms placed on security officers if the company he/she works for is investigated by PSIRA;
– Operational restrictions on security officers not to carry a firearm in public places;
– The restrictions placed on the amount of ammunition that a security officer may have while on duty;
– Restrictions on the carrying of semi-automatic firearms that security officers may carry;
– Mandatory mental and physical evaluations that security officers must complete annually, which will result in large financial expenses for their owners;
– That all firearms must have a “tracking” mechanism that security officers must carry;
– The restriction of certain instruments such as handcuffs that may no longer be used by private security officers in the performance of their duties.

FSA requested that the proposed amendments be withdrawn in their entirety as they are not practically feasible or well thought out, will have a significant impact on safety in farming communities and could lead to an increase in violent crimes.