12 Jun 2019

 Security guards are often looked down upon and called derogatory names  such as ‘bomachikilane’. 

Even worse, the security guards are undermined and shamed even by those who use their services.  

But, these men and women play a pivotal role in the development of the country, by providing security to properties and  safeguarding lives. 

In essence, they secure premises and personnel by patrolling and monitoring surveillance equipment round the clock. 

According to security experts they practice the “detect, deter, observe and report” methodology.   

In Botswana private security companies play a crucial role in complementing state security services given their range of services to homes, business owners and vital public and private institutions. 

Despite the important role they play , security guards’ welfare is often negleted by employers.

The guards often complain of low wages, late payments and worn out uniforms.

Looking at the problems encountered by security guards and their welfare, and the rising number of criminal activities and other incidents of insecurity in Francistown, Mr Bruce Lame formed the Botswana Private Security Services Association (BPSSA) so that its members could regularly meet and share experiences.

“We met as private security companies in Francistown and formed an association that will safeguard and protect our interest and that of our individual members,” said Mr Lame,  Chairperson of the Association. 

Mr Lame, who owns Getto Security Services explained that challenges facing the private security industry in Botswana were many and needed to be handled with dedication, integrity and commitment through an association. 

He further stated that BPSSA was dedicated to protecting the interest of private security firms through its law firm as well as to promote and sustain professional integrity and competence throughout every aspect of the private security business in Francistown. 

 Another mandate, he said, was to proactively participate in creating new markets and maintaining competitive access to existing markets as well as to promote higher standards, consistent regulations and ethical conduct for private security businesses.

The association also aims to increase awareness and understanding among policy-makers, the media and the general public regarding the important role that private security plays in safeguarding people, property as well as preventing crime.

Mr Lame further said the association intended to root out corruption in the tendering process as well as addressing the problem of non or late payment of wages or bills to employees by private security companies. 

Quizzed on why they had to form another security association when there was another one in Gaborone, Mr Lame said the main concern was that some of the security companies especially in Francistown were not members of any association or organisation that could speak for them.  

“It is important for you to realise that for as long as you are not member of any association such as Security Association of Botswana, many of the problems you face may not be easily resolved,” he added.

He said private security companies in Francistown did not have their own security association where they could present their grievances. 

“Imagine, just to renew your license, you have to travel to Gaborone. If it is expensive for me in Francistown, what about the one in Kasane?” he asked rhetorically.  

Mr Lame believes that BPSSA will address these problems and urged other companies that have not joined the association to join in large numbers so that their grievances could be fully addressed.

He cited that one of the most common grievance was that of contractors not submitting payment on time. 

However, Mr Lame applauded government saying most of government institutions and parastatals paid security companies  well as compared to private companies.He said some private companies would delay paying the security company in order to accrue interest rather than paying companies which in turn would also pay its employees (security guards). 

“We have also been receiving quite a significant number of complaints from employees of private security companies for non-payment of wages and terminal benefits by their employers and this association is meant to address such problems,” he added. 

 Mr Lame explained that what worried them most was that the security company would have been paid according to their contract but instead of paying employees some would choose to keep the money in their accounts to earn interest. 

He said some security companies pay their guards very late because the employer (the contracting company) had also issued the payment very late.

However, he said with the formation of BPSSA, the welfare and condition of security guards would be improved given that the committee members were professionals  who were committed to serving their members.

Mr Lame reiterated that the private security sector has a critical role in the national development agenda therefore there is need for government to work with the private security industry in the attainment of prosperity for all.  ENDS