01 Dec 2020

The Private Security Services Act of 2015 was part-commenced in November 2016 to facilitate the development of regulations and code of conduct so as to provide the requisite legal and administrative framework to implement the entire act.

  This was said by the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security when answering a question from Maun East MP.

   He noted that the process was completed in March 2020 and that it had enabled full commencement of parts III, IV and V of the act. 

He added that his ministry has continued to engage the private security industry through organised sector platforms such as Business Botswana and Security Association of Botswana to pave the way for licencing of five other categories of security services over and above the current guarding services. 

“These five categories include specialist security services, close protection services, electronic security services, private investigator services and security advisory services.” 

  He noted that a new chairperson for the Private Security Licencing Board has been appointed to enable the boards effectiveness. 

He also noted that the act provides for the board to licence security service providers, set up minimum training standards for security guards, ensure compliance with the act and to promote the protection and enforcement of security guards. 

He added that the board was working around the clock to facilitate the implementation of new functions.

  The minister also highlighted the challenges faced by the industry, especially the employees. He said there were violations of the Employment Act in the industry, adding that it was a predominantly labour intensive industry and that findings from inspections reflected  non-payment of workers salaries, severance, leave and overtime patments, late payment of workers, non-use of protective clothing and non-availability of guard houses and ablution facilities.

  The minister added that due to the fact that the above were violations of the Employment Act, they were working with the ministry of Employment, Labour Productivitu and Skills Development for resolutions.

Maun West MP, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile had asked the minister to brief Parliament on the progress in the implementation of the Private Security Services Act. 

He also wanted to know if the act had opened up the sector to more players, the total number of citizens amongst the players in the sector and the number of jobs under the act and in which parts of the country.

On the number of citizens amongst the players in the sector, Mr Mmusi said there were 4 367, and he explained that not all of the licensed security companies were active.

He further highlighted that the number of jobs created by the security services industry was estimated at 35 000 with the majority of employees found in Gaborone and Francistown followed by townships such as Lobatse, Jwaneng, Kasane and other major villages such as Maun, Molepolole, Kanye, Serowe and Ghanzi. ends