20 Feb 2018

Private security companies have been urged to familiarise themselves with the new act to ensure compliance.

The Private Security Services Act 2015 was introduced with the aim of turning around the landscape that private security companies operated in.

The board chairperson of Private Security Services Licensing, Mr Thebeyame Tsimako told stakeholders during an awareness meeting in Maun that it was important for them to read and understand the act.

He said they found it necessary to address meetings in big villages around the country where there were many private companies to sensitise them about the act, and to solicit and exchange ideas for the smooth implementation of the act.

He said the act was good for the country as it aimed at improving security services and taking the industry to another level.

“This act calls for a change in the landscape in which security companies operate by aligning to the new developments, and I urge you all to embrace it for the betterment of your businesses,” he said

Mr Tsimako noted that the act was not operational yet, as they were still working on the processes. He encouraged all to register their security companies as no one would be allowed to operate unregistered.

He said the act had heavy fines and he encouraged security providers to abide by it to avoid penalties.

The act says no person shall establish or carry the business of providing security services unless such a person was issued with a licence by the board.

It further states that a person who contravenes the provisions of the act commits an offence, and is liable to a fine not exceeding P50 000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both.

The act also calls on security company owners to ensure security guards or employees were vetted, trained to do the job effectively and that their welfare was taken care of.

The board chairperson emphasised the need to provide employees with the relevant skills and right equipment, protective clothing and that payments should be done on time.

Mr Tsimako said employees should be properly dressed to ensure they come from a company with integrity and a good reputation.

Security licensing manager from the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Ross Sanoto informed the gathering that once the processes were complete, the relevant minister would gazette the act to pave way for implementation.

He concurred with the chairperson that the act was aimed to professionalise security services, adding that currently they were communicating with Botswana Qualifications Authority to see which modules could be offered at elementary level and at a higher qualification.

He stressed that the act was not operational, but stated that the relevant minister had already appointed a board to work on all the preparations to ensure smooth implementation.

Mr Sanoto explained that the old act focused more on security guard services while the new act was broad and included other services that could be provided by security companies.

In addition, he revealed that security services were reserved for Batswana, but that the new act stated that the owners may hire foreigners.

He also stated that there would be inspections and that they would focus on vetting, proper uniform and that employees had all the required equipment and means of communication and name tags for transparency.

He urged all to guard jealously the concept of “Botswana First,” adding that the developments were economic policies which the government wanted to use to uproot unemployment. Ends