01 Feb 2017

The Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi, says time has come for development of a crime prevention master plan that could make provisions for security standards.

Speaking during the private security service pitso and launch of board for private security service in Gaborone recently, Mr Kgathi said the master plan could be developed by engaging other ministries such as that of trade and industry as well as that of local government to ensure that security standards were complied to when constructing shopping malls and other commercial developments.

He urged security services to look at their strategies and operational tactics and gauge the extent to which they promoted genuine feelings of safety among people.

To this, the minister emphasised the importance of private security service in enhancing realisation of National Development Plan 11 (NDP 11) as well as the Vision 2036 pillar of attaining a peaceful society with low levels of crime.

He said NDP 11 had identified observance of the rule of law and stable security environment as key ingredients to the attainment of good governance and development.

“Government is committed to working with private security industry in the attainment of a peaceful society and as appreciation of your contribution in crime prevention we are willing to assist anyhow to improve the conditions of security industry,” he said.

Mr Kgathi said the pitso provided the platform to exchange information and work to elevate performance standards and execute all that was required to ensure service excellence in the private security service industry.

He also informed the meeting that the Private Security Services Act was passed by Parliament in September 2015 and informed them about the commencement of Part 1 and 11 of the Act which facilitated the appointment of the Private Security Licensing Board.

He said the board members would bolster the ministry efforts to make progress on issues concerning private security companies and also advice full operationalisation of the legislation.

The board has Mr Thebeyame Tsimako as the chairperson.

Minister Kgathi also stated that there were 45 000 security companies registered with his ministry.

On issues of concern, he mentioned that it has come to their attention that some of the registered companies do not comply with regulations such as providing identity cards to their employees, saying others continue to employ security guards who were not vetted for criminal records, which is in contravention to the Control of security guard services Act.

He also stated that some of the companies do not provide full uniform or protective clothing and equipment to their employees, simply because the Act was silent on the issuance of the uniform, saying the new Act has a provision for issuance of uniform to the guards.

Mr Kgathi also raised a concern that his office continued to receive a significant number of complaints from employees of private security companies for non-compliance with the laws of Botswana in particular the Employment Act.

He mentioned that employees were not always paid their wages and terminal benefits by their employees’ adding that some were not paid on time while owners of such companies chose to go on expensive holidays, buying expensive cars and neglecting to pay employees.

He said punitive action would be taken against such companies, saying they would either have their licenses terminated or pay huge some amounting to P50 000.

He said what also contributed indirectly to the problem of non-payment of wages of bills to employees was some government departments. BOPA