22 Jul 2015

The Private Securities Bill has been passed with MPs across the political divide opposed to some of the clauses.

Supporting the bill, the Minister of Health, Ms Dorcas Makgato said the bill sought to protect the rights of employees as they were subjected to exploitation and late payments.

The health minister said low salaries, late payments and lack of protective clothing should be a thing of the past.

She, however, said the government’s role should be to facilitate the industry by creating an enabling environment, and that it should not be involved in the training of guards. She noted that employers could also get rebates for training their employees.

The minister, who is also the MP for Sefhare-Ramokgonami, said she was also happy with the requisite for the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security to appoint a board and the appeals board.

She, however, disagreed with the provision that the industry should be wholly reserved for citizens, saying this would be suicidal as locals do not have modern technology. She added that allowing foreign companies would enhance competition.

For his part, Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele said the policy was in line with other policies such as the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) and local economic empowerment.

He said security guards need shelters to be protected from bad weather elements.
Takatokwane MP, Mr Ngaka Ngaka said training of security guards should be monitored, saying there were some who were engaged in illegal military training.

He also said disgruntled employees were dangerous hence it was crucial that they were given everything that was due to them.

Specially elected MP, Dr Unity Dow said doors should be left open to encourage joint ventures between locals and foreign investors.

She said the creation of an inspectorate means there has to be data which they could use. Dr Dow said she welcomes the clause on confidentiality.

Responding to MPs’ comments, the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi said the bill sought to modernise the industry.

He said there were over 3 000 registered security companies and that he would carry out an audit to see if they comply with regulations and the type of equipment they use.

Mr Kgathi said the code of conduct would help protect the integrity of the sector.

He said his ministry would work with Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) in developing training standards.

The bill seeks to provide for the regulation of the private security services industry. Ends