Co-located with A-OSH EXPO, Facilities Management Expo, and Firexpo, the event created a vibrant platform where professionals discovered, compared, and connected around the solutions needed for safer workplaces and communities, the organisers said.

“Securex Cape Town has proved that the Western Cape deserves a dedicated platform for safety and security. The energy on the show floor was exceptional, with exhibitors and visitors alike seeing the value of having this event in Cape Town. We welcomed over 2 000 industry professionals to the event, a very promising start. This is only the beginning; we’re looking forward to building on this success,” said Mark Anderson, Portfolio Director at Montgomery Group Africa.

End-to-end offerings

Cape Town and the Western Cape face distinctive challenges, from the rising demand for estate security, to the operational strain at ports, to the impact of cyber threats on supply chains. Securex South Africa Cape Town brought together suppliers offering surveillance, intrusion detection, cloud-based access control, and integrated perimeter solutions to help organisations mitigate these risks. Demonstrations and discussions focused on practical implementation, ensuring visitors could picture how these tools might work in their own environments.

“With all four shows under one roof, attendees gained a complete view of how security integrates with occupational health and safety, fire protection, and facilities management, for example, how linking fire detection with access control creates greater resilience than siloed approaches,” said Anderson.

This connected approach encouraged cross-sector conversations: estate managers considering OHS implications, or logistics operators exploring how fire safety supports continuity planning. The holistic view of risk was one of the most valued aspects of the event, organisers said.

“The engagement at the event was a winning feature, with estate managers, facilities operators, manufacturing leaders, and logistics professionals connecting face-to-face with solution providers, comparing technologies side by side, and discussing the long-term strategies needed to protect people and property,” said Anderson.

Praise for Securex Cape Town

Exhibitors praised the opportunity to reach Cape-based decision-makers, while visitors highlighted the convenience of finding global and local suppliers in one hall. Together, this feedback reinforces the importance of Securex South Africa Cape Town in strengthening the regional security landscape, according to the organisers.

“We recently revamped our website and, interestingly, our analytics show that 50% of the enquiries come from Cape Town. We therefore felt this was an opportune time to increase brand awareness in the region with a stand at Securex Cape. We are not only hoping to grow our franchisee base in the Western Cape, but by having a physical presence at the expo, we feel that we have a better chance of reaching potential customers who are swamped with the ‘noise’ on social media. The visitors we have spoken to are tech-savvy and keen to find out more about our solutions,” said Lee Bester, Dealer Development Manager at Digit FMS.

“I’ve come all the way from Zambia specifically for this show, and I found it very interesting. I was exposed to the new technology on show, and I’m taking everything I’ve learned about back to Zambia to see how it will work for us. I was very impressed with the CCTV solutions,” said Abel Musonda, CEO at Navari Fleet Management (Zambia).

“Securex Cape Town has not only extended the reach of Africa’s leading security exhibition but also confirmed the strong appetite for a dedicated regional platform. By balancing innovation with practical application, it has positioned itself as a must-attend annual highlight for the Western Cape’s safety and security sector. Its success has underlined Cape Town’s role as a hub of innovation and opportunity, proving that collaboration between exhibitors and visitors can deliver long-lasting impact. We encourage regular visits to the website — www.securex.co.za — to find out more about the next event, taking place in March 2027, alongside the Cape Town Industrial Technology Exhibition (CITE),” said Anderson.

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Coupled with infrastructure challenges that increase the risk of fires, including wire exposure after instances of cable theft, and loadshedding-related power surges, South African homes and businesses need robust systems in place to reduce the risk.

Tim Reynolds, Managing Director at MASC Solutions, a division of Stallion Integrated and a leading provider of fire management solutions, says that it is best practice to start by conducting comprehensive risk assessments and then design solutions that seamlessly integrate fire detection, suppression, and other building systems to maximise reliability and responsiveness.

“This combination of leading-edge technology, product certifications, and experience ensures that every project is planned correctly at inception according to client requirements, whilst meeting SANS standards,” adds Reynolds.

Residential, commercial, and industrial properties require industry-specific needs, with each carrying distinct risks and requirements to ensure optimal protection. Residential estates require reliable and user-friendly systems that minimise false alarms while ensuring rapid, clear alerting for occupants. Commercial buildings, on the other hand, demand systems that prioritise early detection, swift evacuation, and seamless integration with access control and HVAC systems. In the case of industrial facilities, which often involve high-value assets, hazardous materials, or process-critical areas, specialised suppression systems are installed, including solutions such as inert gas, clean-agent, or foam-based technologies.

By thoroughly assessing every project, MASC ensures that every solution, whether a simple detection or a full gas suppression solution, is designed to suit the unique fire load and operational environments, with the goal of protecting life and property according to industry standards.

Despite many businesses already having fire detection and suppression systems in place, Reynolds notes that ongoing maintenance, system testing, and system integration remain a significant challenge.

“Fire detection and suppression systems cannot simply be installed and forgotten – they require continuous inspection, calibration, and certification to ensure compliance with both SANS and international standards,” he says. “As such, MASC offers structured maintenance and testing programmes that are proactive rather than reactive.”

The human element remains key to effective fire safety, where even the most advanced systems rely on informed, trained personnel to respond correctly in an emergency. MASC provides on-site training to its clients’ safety and maintenance teams on system operation,

evacuation procedures, and response protocols. Its systems include intuitive user interfaces and clear alarm zoning to assist quick decision-making, with system simplicity and reliability ensuring that human operators can act decisively without confusion during critical moments.

“True protection against fires goes beyond simply meeting standards. It is about preserving what matters most – lives and livelihoods. When safety becomes part of business culture rather than a checklist, resilience becomes inevitable,” concludes Reynolds.

The post Why fire safety can no longer be ignored in South Africa appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

These people, many of them living on flood-prone land, are routinely left to cope on their own especially during severe weather conditions, despite the fact that the main responsibility for preparing for and responding to these disasters lies with the government.

Amnesty International South Africa’s new report Flooded and Forgotten: Informal Settlements and the Right to Housing in South Africa examines the incidence and impact of floods, both large scale and seasonal caused by heavy rain, on residents of informal settlements and underserved areas in South Africa, particularly in Johannesburg, eThekwini, and Cape Town.

“Informal settlements in South Africa along with other underserved areas like temporary relocation areas, are a sore reminder of the racial injustice and disenfranchisement that were hallmarks of the colonial and apartheid regimes preceding 1994. However, this does not mean that we must ignore the fact that the ongoing housing crisis and the failure of successive governments to guarantee the right to access to adequate housing among other human rights,” Amnesty International South Africa Executive Director Shenilla Mohamed said.

“The government is failing the millions of people trapped in these underserved areas, especially in a time when economic hardships and poverty are rife. People live in informal settlements because there is a lack of affordable and accessible formal housing and sometimes because they are the only affordable means of living close to work or work opportunities. Article 10 of South Africa’s Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights is clear that everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected, no matter who they are.”

More government action urgently needed to deal with increased risk of flooding

The recent floods in June 2025 in the Eastern Cape province, which caused the death of over 100 people and washed away the homes of thousands of people, was a stark reminder that urgent and long-term action by the government is needed. While South Africa’s Disaster Management Act and National Disaster Management Framework aim to reduce the risk of disaster, there is ample evidence that not enough is being done towards this end.

Based on the experiences of people living in informal settlements documented in Amnesty International’s report, interviews with experts and practitioners in the field and a review of reports, laws and policies, evidence shows that South Africa’s response to flooding disasters – whether major or seasonal– is patchy and piecemeal, with not enough done to prepare for such events.

For example, people displaced by KwaZulu-Natal floods in 2022 are still in temporary emergency accommodation in poor conditions nearly three years later, indicating a lack of preparedness for recovery efforts. Some of those displaced died after they were relocated to an area that was severely flooded in 2025, highlighting a serious failure to ensure that flood victims are relocated to safety. In the case of seasonal flooding, the support and assistance that many residents of informal settlements experience is alarmingly poor or absent, Amnesty International said.

Although the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements, in their response to Amnesty International, dated 30 October 2025, asserted that “informal settlements are not planned settlements and inherently their establishment would not be preceded by the availability of basic services”, South Africa remains bound by constitutional and international obligations to provide essential services to all residents, including those living in informal settlements.

“The reality, as documented in Amnesty International’s report, is that millions of South Africans living in informal settlements are deprived of these rights due to central government neglect, under-resourced municipalities, and poor urban governance, not simply because their settlements are unplanned,” Mohamed said.

“The lack of access to adequate, well-located affordable housing in South Africa has also led to the growth of informal settlements in floodplains and low-lying areas which means that people living there are increasingly impacted by flooding.”

The climate crisis is making the situation far worse

Human-induced climate change has also exacerbated the risks of flooding, already a seasonal problem in South Africa’s informal settlements and underserved areas. As elsewhere in the world, this means that people who have contributed the least to climate change due to their low consumption patterns and are least able to cope with flooding are the worst affected by the impacts of climate change.

One of the main concerns expressed to Amnesty International in all three metropolitan areas was that the regular seasonal flooding of informal settlements and underserved areas was rarely seen as warranting a disaster response by the municipalities. The residents were simply left to fend for themselves and rely on charitable organisations.

A woman from Freedom Park in Johannesburg said: “We have no help from anyone, we have to stay and fix it, we can’t run away… where will we go?”

South Africa must meet its human rights obligations

South Africa has a plethora of laws and policies on issues around access to housing, provision of essential services such as water and sanitation, upgrading of informal settlements, a healthy environment, and preparing for and responding to disasters. It is also a state party to all the major international and regional human rights instruments including the UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which guarantees the rights to access adequate housing, water and sanitation.

“Despite South Africa having strong legislation and policy and clear international commitments as with so many other things in this country, implementation remains the issue. The reality points to obvious failures of the government to adequately and thoroughly realise these obligations and this comes at a huge cost to the human rights, lives and livelihoods of millions of people,” Mohamed said.

The South African government must provide access to adequate housing for people living in the country and commit to upgrading informal settlements with access to essential services in a manner that complies with human rights law and standards, including through budgetary and policy commitments, according to Amnesty International.

It must also mobilise all the necessary human, financial and technical resources to ensure that disaster risk reduction is fully integrated into urban planning processes and these are implemented with a view to protecting residents of informal settlements from disasters, climate change related or otherwise, and protecting their human rights.

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The fisherman was arrested on the Strandfontein pavilion on Friday 24 October in a sting operation conducted by law enforcement officers and DFFE Fishery Control Officers in in collaboration with the City of Cape Town Marine Unit.

“It is encouraging to note that the arrest followed reports from concerned members of the public regarding the illegal drone fishing activities in False Bay,” said DFFE Minister Dr Dion George.

“This is the kind of zero-tolerance approach that will enhance our enforcement efforts.”

The Minister said the accused holds a valid permit endorsed for recreational angling, which only authorises manually operating a rod, reel and line as defined in the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998.

“However, the use of a drone is not authorised, as stipulated in the conditions of the permit. Officers confiscated the drone, which will be used as evidence in court proceedings.”

According to the department, the enforcement action follows the Supreme Court of Appeal’s ruling on 16 July 2024, upholding the ban on the use of drones, bait-carrying remote-controlled boats and other remotely operated devices in fishing operations.

The department explained that the use of these drones for fishing has been illegal since 2005, and recreational anglers and members of the public have previously been warned that they could face enforcement action should they be caught using such devices.

The department stated that it remains committed to the conservation and sustainable management of South Africa’s marine resources.

“We believe that the ban on drones and remote-controlled devices in marine environments is crucial in preserving the delicate balance of our oceans and protecting vulnerable species.”

The Minister has emphasised that enforcement capabilities and partnerships will continue to be strengthened to ensure that those who exploit natural resources face the full consequences of the law.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every officer and partner involved in these operations. Their hard work and sacrifices are crucial in safeguarding South Africa’s marine biodiversity,” added George.

The post Fisherman arrested in drone fishing sting appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

“Unfortunately, criminals exploit moments of opportunity. Incidents such as break-ins, robberies, and home invasions often happen so quickly that homeowners have very little time to react,” said Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity Services Group. “A panic button provides immediate access to emergency assistance—especially in moments when reaching for a phone or making a call isn’t possible. It can also be critical in medical emergencies, where every second matters.”

Panic buttons are most effective when integrated into a layered home security system that includes alarms, CCTV, and regular security patrols. These devices offer a direct line to a security provider, ensuring the rapid deployment of armed response units without the need to dial a number during a crisis or when incapacitated.

Hattingh also highlighted that panic buttons aren’t just for crime-related emergencies:
“Many of our call-outs are actually for medical incidents. Having a panic button within reach ensures that help can be summoned quickly—whether due to an intruder, a fall, or a sudden health issue.”

Fidelity Services Group offers the following tips to maximise the value of your panic button:

• Know where they are: Install panic buttons in frequently used areas like bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms
• Test regularly: Ensure your panic button is functioning correctly through regular tests
• Go mobile: Consider a mobile panic button for use when you’re outdoors or away from home
• Educate your family: Make sure all household members know how and when to use the panic button
• Connect directly: Confirm that your panic button is linked directly to your security provider for the fastest response possible.

“Security is about being proactive,” concluded Hattingh. “A panic button may be a small addition to your home’s security setup, but it can make an enormous difference in an emergency. It’s not just about peace of mind—it’s about knowing that when something goes wrong, help is already on the way. By equipping your home with this simple yet powerful tool, you’re giving yourself and your loved ones the best possible chance to stay safe.”

The post Why every home should have a panic button appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group, and John Smit, CEO of SSG Holdings, were hoisted into the air for an unfiltered conversation about leadership, risk, and the future of South Africa’s emergency services. The stunt highlighted the scale of Fidelity SecureFire’s frontline capabilities and the strength of the new partnership between Fidelity and SSG, which is reshaping the risk solution industry, Fidelity said in a statement.

“From up here, you see everything differently, the risks, the possibilities, and the responsibility,” said Bartmann during the aerial interview. “This is more than an investment in equipment; it’s a declaration that we will rise to protect South Africans when it matters most.”

The aerial stunt also honoured the daily courage of first responders who regularly work at great heights to save lives.

The event comes just weeks after Fidelity Services Group acquired a majority shareholding in SSG Holdings in a strategic partnership that is transforming South Africa’s integrated security and emergency services landscape.

The 32-metre hydraulic platform ladder can reach the 10th floor of most buildings. With its 400 kg-capacity rescue basket and advanced reach, it brings global standards of readiness into the private sector, extending Fidelity SecureFire’s ability to respond to high-rise and complex urban fires, making it the country’s most comprehensive private emergency response provider, Fidelity said.

The ladder joins SecureFire’s national fleet of 32 fire engines and water tankers, 34 Rapid Intervention Units, and 600 first responders across 19 regional offices.

“By bringing Fidelity and SSG together, we’ve created South Africa’s most advanced private protection capability,” said Bartmann. “It’s about much more than business; it’s about national readiness.”

Fidelity SecureFire is a full-spectrum fire services solution with offices across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape. Every Fidelity SecureFire deployment is backed by the Fidelity Fire National Command Centre, a 24/7 operations hub using real-time data, GIS mapping, and fleet analytics to ensure optimal coordination and resource deployment.

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We are academics in environmental health and public health. Our work examines occupational health and safety in educational environments.

We recently completed a review of health and safety challenges in South African universities. We looked at public records, police reports, campus press statements, and national media coverage of violent incidents. We also noted infrastructure hazards reported at South African universities from 2015 to 2024.

Our study covered 10 of South Africa’s 26 public universities to identify campus safety trends.

Our findings reveal persistently high levels of danger, including murder and bad student housing conditions.

Rather than declining over the 10-year period studied, incidents appear to be occurring with greater frequency and severity. This suggests that interventions have not done enough about systemic safety challenges.

Campus safety crisis and evidence-based solutions

South Africa has some of the world’s highest crime rates. In 2024, the country had a crime index of 75.4, which is to be considered high. Over the observed period, the value fluctuated between 75 and 77. The same index ranks the country as the fifth most dangerous in the world.

Our findings show that this pervasive violence has entered higher education institutions. It has created unsafe learning environments that compromise student welfare and academic achievement.

Violence on campus

Over the 10-year review period, we found repeated and widespread reports of violence involving students and staff.

Fatal violence was concentrated in certain provinces, notably Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Gender-based violence and student murders occurred in both formal university residences and off-campus areas.

Between January 2023 and September 2024, for example, at least 17 students were murdered across South Africa, based on police and media reports.

In 2023, the vice-chancellor of the University of Fort Hare, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, was the target of an assassination attempt. During the attack, his bodyguard, Mboneli Vesele, was shot and killed while waiting for Buhlungu outside his home.

Women students were subject to rape and other forms of gender based violence. Our review recorded dozens of reported cases of rape and sexual assault in universities. Between 20% and 25% of female university students in South Africa report being sexually victimised during their studies. In 2017, South African university campuses recorded 47 cases of rape and sexual assault. The University of Cape Town had the highest number, nine cases. South Africa has 1.2 million students in its universities in 2025.

Gender-based violence cases are often under reported because of stigma and fear. Some universities lack support systems or clear procedures for handling complaints. Despite national policy pressure, the sector remains far behind in offering consistent protection and care.

Dangerous infrastructure and unsafe residences

Our findings show widespread problems with student housing.

Much of it is overcrowded, under-maintained and structurally unsafe. For instance, the University of Johannesburg’s 2022 occupational health risk assessment identified 11 high-risk sites on campus. These were linked to hazards such as poor ventilation, roof leaks and chemical exposure. An additional 33 areas were classified as moderate risk due to biological hazards, poor sanitation and inadequate waste management systems.

We also found that security in student accommodation was a concern. At some institutions, residences have unsecured entry points, making them easily accessible to intruders. Our research shows that lack of control has contributed to serious incidents, including killings and assaults inside residence rooms.

Substandard living conditions directly affect academic performance. Research shows that poor housing environments increase anxiety, illness and dropout rates.

Many universities rely on third-party providers to supplement campus housing. Oversight and safety standards in these accredited residences vary.

Poor response rates

Most universities lack clear protocols to respond to safety incidents.

In several high-profile incidents, including fatal attacks, university leadership delayed communication with students or failed to implement follow-up safety measures.

A few institutions have introduced safety initiatives like SMS alert systems, gender-based violence offices, and campus safety audits. These appear insufficient to address the systemic nature of campus safety challenges.

Violent incidents continue to rise. This suggests that the sector needs coordinated measures.

But there is no universal safety standard or consistent oversight to enforce safety requirements across institutions.

Safety and student success

This is more than a security problem.

Our research demonstrates that campus violence directly undermines academic achievement. Others show that unsafe student housing conditions have a negative impact on academic success. Students living in unsafe environments can’t focus on their studies.

Our analysis points to five critical intervention areas:

annual safety audits with external verification and public reporting

real-time campus alert systems integrated with security and law enforcement

survivor support units staffed by professionals offering psycho-social care and legal advice

safety-linked funding mechanisms

interdisciplinary safety committees.

Universities must be legally required to conduct comprehensive annual safety audits through independent, accredited assessment bodies. They should evaluate physical infrastructure integrity and student housing conditions. Similarly, campus crime patterns, emergency response capabilities, and compliance with occupational health and safety standards. Audit reports must be publicly accessible within 30 days of completion.

The Department of Higher Education and Training should tie funding to campus safety performance.

Expertise in criminology and victimology should be part of safety planning processes at universities. They would bring evidence to the design of safety measures.

Students must also be involved in designing and overseeing safety strategies. Student committees, peer-led awareness campaigns, and direct input into campus policy are essential for building trust and driving action.

Written by Maasago M Sepadi, PhD in public health, Tshwane University of Technology, and Martha Chadyiwa, Associate Professor of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.

Republished with permission from The Conversation. The original article can be found here.

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A systematic review published in Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness recently confirmed how essential situational awareness has become to ensure effective and efficient disaster response. Another study showed how combining body-worn cameras, drones and AI could support real-time situational awareness and improve evidence collection, officer and public safety, and operational efficiency. Technology is changing the shape of saving human lives, and already there are multiple use cases worldwide that underscore its value.

Body worn cameras have become live-streaming intelligence nodes, drones now arrive on the scene before officers, and IoT sensors add layers of environmental insight. Combined with the rapidly changing capabilities of AI, these technologies are moving situational awareness from fragmented inputs to a unified, predictive view.

Proven Impact that is globally validated.

The impact of these tools is also measurable. The Chula Vista Police Department in California, for example, has deployed drones as first responders on more than 20,000 missions and have cut their average response times by more than two minutes. The Lancashire Constabulary in the UK equipped 2,200 officers with integrated body-worn cameras to streamline reporting and boost transparency, and in 2024, Police Scotland committed £13.3 million to a nationwide rollout of 10,500 devices following 81% public support. In Seattle, Brinc, a drone manufacturer, has expanded its Responder drone platform to more than 700 public safety agencies across the United States. And in China, UAV-based communication nodes have kept operations running in disaster zones where terrestrial infrastructure has failed.

Why this matters today

Globally, the demand for richer situational awareness has reached a tipping point. Citizens expect every interaction with emergency services to be transparent and backed by verifiable evidence, a standard reinforced by research showing body-worn video reduces public complaints and escalations dramatically. At the same time, the pressures of rising urban density, climate-related disasters, and increasingly complex security threats are stretching traditional tools beyond their limits.

In South Africa, the safety environment is equally on the cusp of change. Transforming first responder and citizen safety is urgent. For every police officer, there are six private security guards, most operate with fragmented systems, often relying on WhatsApp groups to coordinate responses, and ambulance operators frequently dispatch vehicles without visibility into what equipment and medication they have available. Combined, these factors undermine survival rates.

At the same time, city governments like Cape Town have shown the life-saving impact of resilient communication networks. They kept first responders connected during the recent wildfires and show the art of the possible when mission-critical communication and situational intelligence are treated as public infrastructure.

And how the accessibility and readiness of today’s technology is making it easier for cities and governments to change. With LTE and 5G now embedded across most urban centres, the networks exist to carry real-time video, telemetry, and AI-driven analysis directly into command centres. For the first time, agencies can move from fragmented updates to continuous, multi-layered intelligence, allowing them to anticipate hazards, respond faster, and build trust through accountability.

And the proof is in the results – when intelligence is delivered faster, outcomes improve, public trust and officer safety increase and communities experience tangible value. The future lies in convergence. Body-worn video, drone reconnaissance, IoT sensors, and AI analytics, when connected through a single platform, create a living operational ecosystem. Instead of officers drowning in raw data, decision-makers receive actionable intelligence: suspect locations, hazard alerts, biometric stress readings, or automated evidence logs.

A measurable strategic pay-off

Importantly, the pay-off is very clear. Technology brings transparency alongside reduced litigation risks through verifiable chains of evidence; faster response times; improved operational efficiencies with automated tagging and streamlined reporting; and community trust driven by accountability. Crucially, these investments also lay the groundwork for smart city capabilities with predictive policing, cross-agency data sharing and AI-driven dispatch.

This is the direction Sentiv has taken, with modular platforms that integrate easily into existing dispatch and command systems. The Sentiv model is already in use, supported by flexible commercial structures such as Body-Worn Cameras-as-a-Service or Drone-Response-as-a-Service solutions. These modular solutions allow decision-makers to opt into next-generation situational awareness using solutions and approaches already proven, both locally and globally.

For leaders in South Africa and across Africa, the opportunity is to leapfrog legacy models and build integrated, cloud-enabled situational awareness from the ground up. By doing so, they can save lives, reduce risk, and create safer, more resilient communities, and avoid the costs and complexity that come with fragmented systems, slower responses and reduced public trust.

Written by Reshaad Sha, Executive Chairman, Sentiv.

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What Member of the Provincial Parliament tasked with mobility Professor Nomafrench Mbombo termed “a strong indication that lawlessness on the roads will not be tolerated” came in the response to a provincial parliament question.

It showed more than 14 500 fines issued, 376 arrests and 1 070 taxis impounded in “the past year alone”. In a Democratic Alliance (DA) statement Mbombo has it the arrests were for offences ranging from reckless and negligent driving, operating unroadworthy vehicles to overloading. More severe criminal acts, such as fraud, drug possession, bribery and unlawful transport of undocumented individuals and stolen goods, were also on the list of what the statement calls “infractions”. Vehicles were impounded and fines issued to drivers/operators for unlicensed or expired permits, “excessive speeding”, lack of safety equipment and operating without valid documentation.

Beyond enforcement, the Western Cape government said it is engaging in constructive dialogue with provincial taxi associations. This dual approach — combining accountability with collaboration — aims to improve long-term compliance and deliver safer, more dependable public transport.

Open source information has it there are over eight thousand taxi operators in the province working 2 650 local minibus tax routes with 16 500 plus legal registered vehicles.

Of the Mobility Department statistics, Mbombo is quoted as saying: “While we commend the enforcement efforts, the figures are not a reason to celebrate. In a well-functioning system, taxi operators would comply with regulations by default. What commuters deserve is a transport service that is safe, reliable and dignified — not one plagued by non-compliance and risk. Enforcement is necessary, but the ultimate goal is widespread adherence to the law”.

“The provincial government is sending a clear message: those who break the law will face consequences. We are committed to bringing accountability to an industry too often marked by disorder.”

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Fidelity SecureFire, a subscription-based private firefighting service, launched in June in Cape Town. It has been operating in Gauteng since 2023. It’s also active in Durban, East London, Gqeberha and Bloemfontein.

On its website, the company describes itself as “reengineering the future of fire protection in South Africa through scale, technology, and an unwavering obsession with speed, trust, and precision”.

But the City of Cape Town’s chief fire officer, Clinton Manuel, said he wrote to Fidelity in May informing the company that the service was “unregulated”.

The City is opposing the operation of private firefighting services in its jurisdiction, considering it “unlawful and constitutionally impermissible”, said Manuel.

“We have no mandate from our citizens to outsource the fire and emergency function to private entities for their commercial gain and will not be entering into any sort of agreements with Fidelity,” said Manuel.

He confirmed that Fidelity is not linked to the City’s emergency call centre nor the Fire Service Command and Control Centre.

“They seem to be self-responding, but like any citizen, they have a duty to report fires to the legislative authority as soon as they become aware of an incident,” said Manuel.

The City’s fire service has not been receiving reports of fires from Fidelity, yet Fidelity has at times been first on the scene of a fire or accident, he said.

He said that City incident commanders have been instructed to ask Fidelity staff to leave the scene of a fire or other emergencies as having “unregulated and unauthorised service providers in attendance at fires” would undermine “managing emergency incidents safely and effectively”.

Manuel warned that Law Enforcement would be called to remove them.

He added that no one is permitted to use municipal fire hydrants other than the municipal fire service.

He said the City’s Fire and Rescue Service has agreements in place with district municipalities and the Western Cape government, and a fleet of over 130 firefighting vehicles.

“This, combined with our available staff, proves that we do not need assistance from private, unregulated entities purporting to be professional firefighters,” said Manuel.

Gauteng

Private firefighting services are gaining traction in Gauteng. In 2022, Discovery launched its private fire service in Johannesburg.

However, the City of Tshwane recently initiated court proceedings against private firefighting providers. The City filed papers in order “to enforce compliance with applicable legislation”, it said in a statement.

The City of Tshwane said that private fire services were operating without “legal authority, regulatory approval, or formal agreements with the municipality in direct contravention of national and local legislation governing emergency services”.

The City said the operations present challenges for the City’s command and control structures during emergencies, “compromise incident scene management, draw water from municipal fire hydrants, which violates city bylaws”.

The DA said in a statement following the City’s decision to go to court that “instead of trying to abolish private firefighting services, the City of Tshwane should instead aim for appropriate regulations while addressing its own capacity issues”.

Fidelity responds

Fidelity responded to GroundUp’s questions with a press statement. Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group, denied their services were unlawful. He said Fidelity is “confident that no existing laws prohibit or restrict the lawful provision of private firefighting services”.

Bartmann said that Fidelity SecureFire is not a replacement for municipal fire services but is “complementary”.

“We respond only when formally engaged through contractual agreements – similar to how private security firms operate. Our customers choose us voluntarily, seeking enhanced protection tailored to their specific needs,” he said.

He said that Fidelity would continue delivering its fire protection service despite resistance from municipalities.

Fidelity is expanding to Stellenbosch, Paarl, Worcester and Hermanus this July. Within the next few months, it will expand to Polokwane, Pietermaritzburg, Nelspruit, Richards Bay and other areas.

Written by Liezl Human for GroundUp and republished with permission. The original article can be found here.

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