5 minute read
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Update from SASA
From the desk of Tony Botes, SASA National Administrator.
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Membership
SASA is pleased to confirm that, with very few exceptions, all Gold members have qualified for renewal and paid their annual fees for the 2021/2 membership year.
Our Gold members, whose employee numbers collectively make up our representivity at the National Bargaining Council for the Private Security Sector (Bargaining Council), now account for more than 140 000 security officers, despite the loss/reduction of contracts as a result of unprecedented retrenchments during the Covid-19 pandemic period. A number of new members have already joined, and more are being processed.
International reciprocal partnerships
As permitted in the SASA constitution, we are in the process of concluding reciprocal agreements with similar associations internationally. The Security Association of Namibia (SAN) has already signed up and, by the time this goes to press, CAPSI (Central Association for Private Security India) will have come on board, too. Further, we’re in talks with associations in Singapore, Botswana and elsewhere.
Although private security legislation may differ vastly in various countries, we believe that we face numerous common challenges, which may be mitigated or even eliminated through ongoing interaction with our international brothers.
PSIRA (Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority)
It is of great concern that PSIRA has seen fit to introduce what we believe to be excessively increased annual and administrative fees for their financial year from April 2021 to March 2022. SASA, together with our colleagues at SANSEA (South African National Security Employers’ Association), have taken legal advice and are in ongoing communication with the Authority via our legal representatives.
Although PSIRA did hold virtual consultative meetings with the private security industry at large with regard to their proposed new fees – with both SASA and SANSEA submitting detailed written representations - we believe that the Authority has not given adequate consideration to the negative effect that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the national economy in general, and the private security sector specifically. Our legal advisors have again written to the Authority to reconsider their stance on the annual fees, which came into effect on 1 April 2021.
The Administration fee increases, however, were not subjected to the consultation process required by PAJA (Promotion of Administrative Justice Act), which we have challenged via our attorneys. This has prompted PSIRA to postpone the implementation thereof until 1 May 2021, which will give our associations the opportunity to make detailed representations. Furthermore, PSIRA – in their consultative gazette regarding the annual fees – also included a number of amended regulations, some of which will also probably be challenged if the matter goes the legal route.
We hope that we are able to reach an acceptable compromise with PSIRA, regarding these matters, without having to resort to legal action, as was the case in 2013/4 and again last year.
NBCPSS Medical Insurance
The NBCPSS recently appointed Affinity Health to provide medical insurance for the entire private security industry and this came into effect, as per the NBCPSS Main Agreement, on 1 March 2021. Both the NBCPSS and Affinity Health are in the process of contacting security companies around the country. SASA has met with Affinity Health on behalf of our members, and we are confident that, with our input and recommendations, sufficient guidance will be given to employers to minimise any challenges.
Compliance
SASA has identified a significant increase in non-compliance in the private security industry. As a responsible organisation, we are obliged to take whatever steps are required to bring such information (and evidence) to the attention of the relevant authorities, which include PSIRA, the NBCPSS, PSSPF (Private Security Sector Provident Fund), Department of Home Affairs and even SARS, where necessary.
Non-compliance, especially where it involves the use of undocumented foreigners and the blatant and criminal abuse of security officers, is a critical threat to the private security industry and must be identified and the offending employers prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
SASA members, as well as nonmembers and consumers, are urged to refer all identified exploitation and other forms of criminality to the relevant authorities and, if they wish to remain anonymous, such matters may be referred to our national office for further action. It must be stressed that evidence should accompany such referrals, to ensure that appropriate action may be taken against such transgressors.
NBCPSS exemption
SASA, together with SANSEA, recently – on behalf of their members – applied for, and were granted, a partial exemption from certain aspects of the NBCPSS Main Agreement, as follows:
• The gazetted increase in the Security Officers Premium Allowance, from R175 to R270 per month, was not implemented for a period of 12 months, for this year.
• The relief sought in respect of a reduced contribution by all employers and employees was referred to the PSSPF, who are obliged to apply for a temporary rule change by the FSCA. This is currently in process and will be implemented once the rule change has been approved.
It must be stressed that the relief in the first bullet point, above, will only be granted to members of SASA and SANSEA who are totally compliant with all relevant legislation and in good standing with the Bargaining Council, whereas the PSSPF relief, if and when granted, will apply to all employers and employees.
Nothing, in fact, prevents any other qualifying employer from applying for the same, or any other, exemption, as provided for in the Main Agreement, but this is a time-consuming and probably costly exercise. SASA and SANSEA obtained this exemption for their members at a significant cost, borne by the associations, which included submissions drafted by our attorneys and advocates, as well as an extremely detailed report on the state of the country, and the private security industry as a whole, by one of the most highly respected economists in South Africa.
Benefits of SASA membership:
• A strictly applied Code of Ethics
• Representation at national and local government level
• Industry exposure in the media as well as at major shows and exhibitions
• Contacts and networking opportunities
• Discounted training courses, events and seminars
• Access to a security library managed by UNISA (University of South Africa)
• Updates on new legislation and other industry-relevant information
• Access to security-related and affiliated associations in South Africa and overseas
• The SASA national website
• A central administration office
• Free digital subscription to Security Focus Africa magazine, the official journal of SASA
• A mentorship programme which is designed to guide and assist start-up security companies with attaining the compliance standards required to qualify for Gold Membership
For more information about what SASA does and how it can help you and your company, please contact:
Tony Botes, SASA National Administrator, at:
Tel: 0861 100 680 / 083 650 4981
Cell: 083 272 1373
Email: info@sasecurity.co.za / tony@sasecurity.co.za
Website: www.sasecurity.co.za
