13 Aug 2019

Provision of private security services is one area which, if fully explored, can provide countless employment opportunities for Botswana’s unemployed.

According to defence, justice and security minister, Mr Shaw Kgathi, the ministry has, in realisation of this fact, begun to place great importance on investment in training and skills development of security officers in order to enhance professionalism and promote career advancement in the private security industry.

Mr Kgathi, who was officiating at a private security Pitso on Monday, expressed optimism that the security service industry would produce a well-trained security workforce and in the process bring about more attractive careers.

He observed that since the industry would require adequate investment and resources in terms of starting capital, equipment and administrative requirements such as offices, it was advisable for industry players to form partnerships so as to build capacity before venturing into the industry.

The minister added that the Private Security Services Act, which commenced in October 2016; would also help turn around the industry as it, among other things, broadened the security services landscape by recognising other security services other than guarding.

He said the previous act, the Control of Security Services Act, was limited as it was restricted to guarding services only, whereas the current act has provision for specialist security services, electronic security services, private investigator and security advisory services.

Regarding regulations for the current act, expected to commence in October, Mr Kgathi indicated that they would provide for, among others, issues of eligibility to be employed as security guards, training and testing of guards, provision of uniform, the use of animals for guarding and patrolling, insurance cover and the keeping of records.

On the one hand, the minister cautioned security companies against violation of the Employment Act and the Private Security Services Act, saying those violating the two acts ran the risk of having their licenses revoked.

Outlining the common violations such as the non-payment and late payment of workers, employment of foreigners as security guards, employment of persons not criminally cleared by the police, providing security services without a license, non-provision of full uniform to guards, he implored security company  owners to note that members of a well-paid workforce that enjoyed all the benefits due to them by virtue of their employment would in turn be efficient, trustworthy and highly productive.

Addressing the issue of work ethic of security guards, an official of the Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Mr Tshenolo Ratshosa indicated that the concern was often borne out of the nature of the employer and employees relations.

He said if employers could value their employees and the role they played in their businesses, complaints of workers’ poor work ethic would decrease.

Mr Isaac Malesela of 0844 Security decried the poor work ethic of security guards, saying they did not respect their jobs and consequently absconded from work as they wished.

As for the provisions of the current act regarding training, he said security companies would have a challenge adhering as there were no institutions providing training on security services.

Mr Ntheetsang Kula from Security Systems advised security companies to desist from under quoting with a view to win tenders.

Such a practice, he said, was detrimental to the growth of the industry as companies then failed to meet all their obligations, particularly those relating to the need to pay workers.

He said companies should instead quote as per the scope of work, and should use qualified personnel for bidding to ensure they submitted properly-done quotes. ENDS