The partnership between the South African Police Service and private security companies has been applauded for ensuring a safe election. Ahead of the election, national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola spoke to ProtectionWeb about the “highly effective” Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2).

More than 1600 alerts generated in E2 and Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system led to 133 vehicles impounded and 50 arrests in the past 12 months.

Masemola told ProtectionWeb more than 1.7-million vehicles were analysed by the system.

He said the collaboration with the PSI (Private Security Industry) and implementation of the E2 Initiative were important to enable the SAPS to use the geographic deployment footprint – guards, patrols, escort vehicles, and air support – of the PSI and to create situational awareness through its control centres.

“The PSI proximity to incidents, crime scenes or crime hotspots could easily provide responsive situational information that would inform and enable the SAPS to appropriately respond to such incidents,” he said.

Masemola added that PSI members were not allowed to actively engage with suspects based on their participation in the E2 Initiative.

“The SAPS entered into a working relationship with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) in 2016. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by the National Commissioner of Police and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PSIRA. The purpose of the MoA is to regulate the collaboration between the SAPS and PSIRA in order to enhance coordination between them at a strategic and operational level.”

“In order to maintain and strengthen the working relationship and collaboration between the SAPS and PSIRA, a National Consultative Forum (NCF) consisting of representatives of the SAPS and PSIRA was established and meets on a quarterly basis to exchange knowledge and expertise to support safety and security within the Republic. This agreement is subject to the laws of the Republic and any applicable prescripts of the parties and does not create any extension or amendment of such laws or prescripts.”

“The role of PSI members who participate in the E2 Initiative is limited to the reporting of incidents, activities observed and information to the E2 Operational Centre from where the information is shared with the SAPS,” he said.

However, working with the PSI is not without challenges.  

“Day-to-day challenges for SAPS working with the private security sectors, but not limited to are the wearing of police insignia by private security members; the misusing of private firearms and other materials; branding infringements; and unauthorised security companies that are not registered with Private Security Industry Regulation Authority,” said Masemola.