Where crime rates remain among the highest on record, a growing partnership between private security companies and the South African Police Service (SAPS) is reshaping the face of urban safety in Johannesburg’s inner city.

Private security companies in recent years have entered into collaborative arrangements with SAPS as part of their effort to arrest the problem. In fact, the Greater Gauteng Growth Together 2030 (GGT2030) programme works to bring a number of such firms into one umbrella for collectively working to make Johannesburg a safer place.

“That, to me, is the importance of collaboration towards these efforts in creating a crime-free Johannesburg,” explained Deon Janneke, Director of Corporate Asset Management Security and one of the key drivers of GGT2030. 

“The idea of our company partnering with the SAPS is to make Johannesburg a safer place for the community, and to invest in the community. As a former member of the police, it has always been my goal that our country should be a safer country to live in and root out crime.”

Janneke said in this way, private companies could cover bigger areas by putting in resources and expertise, hence providing a stronger security presence. He mentioned that GGT2030 was established to have more than one security company helping in fighting crime.

Technological integration in urban safety

Another important factor is the integration of technology into crime-combating measures. Most of the security companies already have  CCTV cameras installed in the Johannesburg area and LPR cameras linked with all the necessary role players such as the JMPD.

“The initiative seeks to further expand the network. GGT2030 are in the beginning stages to place more cameras in the CBD. We are asking for companies to sponsor this initiative and also assist us deploying vehicles with armed guards to patrol the CBD,” appealed Janneke.

Building community trust and participation

It is a question of trust within the community for these collaborations to yield results. Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, Media Liaison Officer for Gauteng Provincial Commissioner’s office, emphasises the inclusion of private security into daily operations. 

“During our operations we do not isolate security guards; we regard them as one of us and inform them about the principles of the SAPS,” Masondo said.

Communication goes a long way in building trust. In fact, SAPS and private security companies share information through social media platforms like WhatsApp groups for easy, quick updating of activities related to crime in town.

“They also have their cameras in town, helping to reduce crime,” he added, emphasising the sharing of responsibilities by the two parties.

“We need the community to get more involved in fighting crime,” Janneke said. Often, because of stigma – that law enforcement is corrupt – residents will not co-operate. “We are here to serve and protect the community,” Masondo said, and he called upon community members for information leading to combating criminal activities.

Citizens’ opinions: divided feelings

Comments from ordinary citizens on how private security is used by and, in turn, with the SAPS suggest a rather complicated picture. According to Butho Nyathi, a business owner, “Yes, the operations have improved safety in the area, and that makes our clients freely move. The CBD was usually feared but now, people are able to access the area.”

Nyathi reported increased customer traffic, with South Africans, for one, feeling much safer. “Our clients and employees are happy with this move. They say it has reduced chances of them getting robbed,” he said. 

This attitude reinforces the very notion of private security as a complementary service towards enhancing safety and community well-being.

Yet not everyone shares this optimism; Butholezwe Nkomo, the Director of IT Republic said: “The inner city is still unsafe for my business; most clients are still afraid to come over, especially after dark.” Nkomo further noted that while cooperation notwithstanding, mugging and violent cases break out, even if fewer in number, hence the negative consequence on business.

“Clients are still paranoid due to the fact that a lot of muggings are experienced, at times even shootings, in the inner CBD,” he said. 

Nkomo believes that private security and police can do much more to ensure safety and community engagement.

Private security firms and their operations

Dean Govender is the Operations Manager at Bad Boyz Security; his view echoes the above-mentioned need for community-centered approaches.

“We have the well-being of the community at heart, and we believe in giving back to the community rather than just taking from them,” he said, emphasising that this pledge on community safety was key to creating trust and efficacy in their operations.

“We work hand in glove with the SAPS, the Johannesburg Metro Police Services, and other security companies toward the attainment of absolute safety for the communities,” he said while revealing that they use technology such as CCTV cameras, drones, and LPR cameras during their operations, which makes it easier for private security firms to monitor and respond effectively against criminal activities.

“Our love for people drove us to be a part of those initiating safety for them,” Govender explained, with his sentiment echoing a growing emphasis on community-oriented security strategies that put the safety of vulnerable populations, such as women and children, first.

Future directions and challenges

While the SAPS-private security company collaborations indicate promise in that direction, several challenges remain. Clearly, more holistic interventions are called for.

“More needs to be done to make such security partnerships more effective,” insisted Nkomo, adding that these are things like increasing the number of street cameras, improving visibility through both foot and vehicle patrols, conducting thorough background checks for tenants within the area.

These programmes can only work if there is deep involvement by private security firms and law enforcement agencies. Above all, a whistleblowers’ safety platform should be established, and the community should be mobilised to participate in safety initiatives.

The root of the urban crime problem is complex, and as it continues to change, so too must the strategies to try and curtail it. This cooperation between the SAPS and private security companies is representative of a shift toward a more integrated community-oriented model of urban safety.

This therefore serves to show that the partnership between the SAPS and private security companies in the Inner City of Johannesburg proves the potential of the collaboration approaches toward crime. Technological integrations, community involvements, and beliefs in mutual objectives are starting to change the face of security.

With stakeholders continuously adapting and finding new ways, the hope is that Johannesburg will be a safer city to live and work in for all its citizens and businesses, rebuilding faith in law enforcement and a safer future for all community members. 

Even while the challenges persist, the partnership between private security organizations and SAPS predicts a better trend in the fight against urban crime-one based on security, trust, and community involvement.