The Democratic Alliance (DA) has voiced strong opposition to the draft amendments to the Private Security Industry Regulations, published on 28 March 2025. If enacted, these changes, proposed by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA), would significantly weaken the private security sector in South Africa, ultimately jeopardising public safety.
The DA urges PSIRA and the Department of Police to withdraw the draft regulations and engage in meaningful consultations with industry stakeholders. Any regulatory adjustments must reflect operational realities and prioritise the enforcement of existing laws, rather than imposing impractical new restrictions, the party said.
The proposed amendments introduce numerous vague, impractical, and legally contentious provisions, particularly in restricting where and how armed security officers may operate. Under these regulations, armed security personnel would face severe limitations in protecting public spaces such as malls, schools, churches, and hospitals unless those locations comply with an onerous list of requirements, the DA pointed out.
“Such measures would drastically reduce the presence of armed security in precisely the areas where they are most needed, hampering effective response capabilities.”
One of the more troubling aspects of the amendments is the restriction on the amount of ammunition security officers may carry, limiting it to an undefined “reasonable” quantity. Without a clear standard, enforcement would become arbitrary and inconsistent, adding yet another layer of legal uncertainty in an already over-regulated industry, the DA said.
Additionally, the amendments seek to confine the use of semi-automatic rifles to specific scenarios, such as cash-in-transit operations, critical infrastructure protection, and anti-poaching efforts. This restriction effectively disarms tactical response units and high-risk protection teams that regularly encounter violent criminal threats outside these narrow categories.
Perhaps most alarmingly, the DA added, the amendments propose a blanket prohibition on essential non-lethal security tools such as rubber bullets, water cannons, and Tasers—unless specifically registered and approved by PSIRA. “Far from enhancing public safety, this measure would leave security officers without effective means to de-escalate violent situations, putting both the public and the officers themselves at greater risk.”
The DA maintains that regulatory efforts should focus on addressing rogue elements within the industry rather than penalising the sector as a whole. According to the DA’s Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Policy, private security should be treated as a partner in public safety, not an adversary. Making it harder for security providers to operate will only weaken South Africa’s already strained security environment.
Industry stakeholders and members of the public have until 25 April 2025 to submit their objections to these amendments.
