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South Africa’s private security industry is booming, as police struggle against record levels of crime. The country has earned the ubiquitous position as one of the highest violent crime rates in the world
South Africa’s private security industry is booming, as police struggle against record levels of crime. The country has earned the ubiquitous position as one of the highest violent crime rates in the world.
A daily average of 75 murders and 400 robberies with aggravating circumstances were recorded in the year to February 2023. Experts have warned that the country’s police are fighting a losing battle against crime. There are fewer than 150,000 police officers in South Africa for a population of 62 million people. Yet, in comparison, more than 2.7 million private security officers are registered in the country, making the security industry one of the world’s largest.
Only a few can afford private services, leaving the vast majority of South Africans to rely on an under-resourced and disorganised police force. Private security companies earn a monthly fee for patrolling neighbourhoods and providing armed responses to their clients’ alarm systems. They also offer tracking and car recovery services, which often results in them getting involved in high-speed chases of car thieves and hijackers.
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Figures show that the number of security businesses in South Africa grew by 43% in the past decade, while the number of registered security officers has increased by 44%. More than 580,000 private security guards are currently active and employed — more than the police and army combined.
