ASSOCIATION NEWS
SASA UPDATE
Update from SASA Every month is eventful in South African, and July has been no exception! Here’s a round-up of the main events – which in one way or another – affect the country’s security sector. From the desk of Tony Botes, SASA National Administrator.
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ass protests and looting Following his sentencing by the Constitutional Court for contempt of court, ex-president Jacob Zuma was subsequently incarcerated. This led to mass action, predominantly in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and then Gauteng, with protests hijacked by a criminal element that looted and destroyed shops, businesses and other entities, with damage and losses in the billions of rand. The South African Police Service (SAPS) was caught napping (although some maintain that the intelligence structures had prior knowledge of the planned mass action), and they were obliged to obtain support from the South African
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SECURITY FOCUS AFRICA JULY 2021
National Defence Force (SANDF), who are actually not trained, we believe, for ‘urban conflict’. Despite directives from both SAPS and PSIRA (Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority) saying that security companies were not permitted to perform “police functions”, a number of private security companies DID enter the fray, by providing additional manpower for their clients, escorting vehicles on the main routes and supporting communities against the looters. Unfortunately, it seems as though some of these companies, or their employees, overstepped the mark, which actions are currently under investigation by SAPS and PSIRA.
Covid-19 Following the easing of covid-19 restrictions to adjusted level 3 by the president on Sunday 25 July, we’re hoping that it impacts positively in terms of the economic challenges facing both businesses and individuals. Key going forward though, if we’re to avert another wave, is for people to all wear masks and take the required precautions. SASA has been in contact with PSIRA, which supports our view that security officers be prioritised in the vaccination process. According to PSIRA, this has been approved by the Minister of Police, and they are now waiting for the approval from the Minister of Health and the President. PSIRA has also requested that those
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