Public Interest SA Commends KZN SAPS for Enforcement Action and Calls for Heightened Compliance in Private Security Sector

Johannesburg, South Africa. Saturday, 3 April 2026 - Public Interest SA commends the KwaZulu-Natal division of the South African Police Service (SAPS), particularly its Crime Intelligence structures, for the decisive action taken in arresting four protectors attached to the Mkhambathini Local Municipality.

The arrests, following the discovery that the individuals were utilising firearms not registered to the municipality, underscore the seriousness with which SAPS is approaching compliance with the Firearms Control Act. The subsequent finding that the firearms belong to a private security company, reportedly contracted in a manner that bypasses standard personnel provisioning, raises profound concerns about regulatory adherence and governance within both municipal and private security arrangements.

This matter brings into sharp focus the critical importance of strict compliance within South Africa’s expansive private security sector.

The apparent provision of firearms without the accompanying lawful deployment of trained personnel represents not merely an administrative lapse, but a fundamental breach of legal and ethical obligations. Such practices, if left unchecked, risk undermining public safety, accountability, and the rule of law.

Public Interest SA further notes the ongoing compliance inspection involving hundreds of firearms linked to the security company, as well as the involvement of the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA).

These processes must be allowed to proceed without interference, and their outcomes should be made public to reinforce transparency and institutional accountability.

"While the decisive intervention by the KwaZulu-Natal division of the South African Police Service to enforce accountability and compliance in respect of the Calvin & Family Group security company is commendable, it is concerning that the company’s operations in Gauteng and other parts of the country have not yet been subjected to similar scrutiny.

This is particularly troubling given the reasonable prospect that the alleged non-compliance may be systemic and not confined to a single jurisdiction,” said Tebogo Khaas, chairperson of Public Interest SA.

Equally concerning is the governance framework within the Mkhambathini Local Municipality, where public funds were reportedly used in a hybrid arrangement that blurs the lines between municipal employment and outsourced security services. This raises questions about procurement integrity, oversight mechanisms, and the safeguarding of public resources.

Public Interest SA urges all municipalities and organs of state to ensure that any engagement with private security providers is fully compliant with applicable legislation, properly contracted, and subject to rigorous oversight. The private security industry, as a critical extension of the country’s safety architecture, must operate within clearly defined legal parameters at all times.

This incident should serve as a cautionary reminder that compliance is not optional. It is foundational to public trust, institutional legitimacy, and the effective functioning of the rule of law.

Public Interest SA will continue to monitor developments closely and remains committed to advocating for accountability, transparency, and lawful conduct across both public and private sectors.

END