The objective of the summit is to get stakeholder input into recommendations for a more efficient police role,” Viljoen said.

He highlighted BACSA’s emphasis on securing constant betterment through the application of private sector skills.

“Business contributes by contributing to the implementation of constant betterment by providing private sector skills,” he said.

One of the key areas that BACSA is working on is the integration of technology solutions for automating the police operations.

“Some solutions are technology implementations. Care is taken to automate certain processes that assist the core business,” Viljoen said.

He also stressed the importance of change management so that the acceptance and sustainability of the technological advancements are realised.

“Sometimes there is a requirement to clarify roles, responsibility, and scope of the stakeholders,” added Viljoen, highlighting that it was essential to set quality expectations for all processes and not duplicate efforts.

Such coordination between BACSA and law enforcement agencies has given rise to several effective programs aimed at combating crime more effectively. A good example of this is the 2019 Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2) as a joint venture between BACSA, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and private security providers. The initiative is a critical communications bridge that enables real-time information sharing among the private security industry and law enforcement agencies in enhancing situational awareness and response capability.

Viljoen described the importance of such collaborations, stating, “Operationally relevant intelligence is securely fed in real-time to SAPS and its other law enforcement partners. Crime prevention units have controlled access to the intelligence, enabling them to respond more quickly and strategically to extortion incidents.”

The summit also dwelled on citizen involvement in crime prevention. There were demands for the empowerment of Community Policing Forums (CPFs) to create interfaces between the police and the communities so that there would be collaboration between the communities and the police. This was intended to enhance public safety and the trust of communities in the police.

Furthermore, the recent collaboration agreement among SAPS, Gauteng Province, and the City of Johannesburg was quoted as a significant step towards unified crime combating. The agreement focuses on coordinating resources and embracing a new model of policing for increased efficiency and effectiveness.

The Police Summit at Kempton Park is the perfect platform on which stakeholders gather to exchange their strategies for boosting police efficiency, combining technology-based remedies, and advocating people-in-politics partnerships to guarantee effective fighting of crime.

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Roelof Viljoen, Business Development Officer for BACSA, provided this response to ProtectionWeb, detailing the initiative’s impact and the organisation’s efforts to protect companies from criminal blackmail.

The E2 Initiative: An effective crime-fighting tool

Unlike other membership – dependent crime prevention programs, BACSA’s extortion prevention program is not formal membership-dependent. Rather, companies sign up via the E2 Initiative, a nationwide platform aimed at facilitating real-time information sharing among screened private security firms and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

By Viljoen, “The E2 programme currently has 437 screened participants, recorded on our public portal. The programme has also been flagged as one of value by the NatJOINTS National Priority Committee for inducing legal awareness of extortion definition and enabling practical case handling. Early results from SAPS indicate enhanced early reporting and evidence coordination.”

Empowering businesses against extortion

To help businesses identify and prevent extortion attempts, BACSA provides an Extortion Guideline through the E2 portal, along with operational support, industry-specific information sessions, and liaison with provincial priority committees.

“BACSA’s guideline describes how businesses can identify extortion threats, respond appropriately, and report them safely. We also work together with industry organizations to hold training sessions, so that businesses are informed about their rights and available resources,” Viljoen added.

Managing fear of retaliation

Fear of retaliation is a major reason businesses do not want to report extortion. BACSA recognizes the fear and has created the E2 Initiative to provide a secure and protected reporting mechanism.

“One of the most significant difficulties in combating extortion is the fact that victims do not want to report it – more often than not because they are afraid of reprisals or do not trust the justice system. BACSA works with SAPS Provincial Organised Crime Detectives to facilitate a safe and escorted examination of evidence and provide help with case registration. Victims’ identities are protected where possible, and information is dealt with safely,” Viljoen assured.

One of the qualities of E2 is that, once a case has been logged, an assigned local task team – SAPS detectives, municipal police officials, and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) staff

members – may be brought in to develop physical security strategies and augment police patrols in targeted areas.

BACSA recognizes that combat against extortion is possible only through effective coordination between regulators, prosecutors, and law enforcement. Viljoen stressed that BACSA has a facilitating role in achieving harmony among these groups.

“One of the greatest challenges in tackling extortion is ensuring that all actors in the criminal justice system understand their role and are working together. BACSA works in conjunction with the Justice and Crime Prevention Cluster to promote systemic issues and ensure national level responsibility,” he continued.

Cooperation between Private Security and Law Enforcement

Private security firms are a key contributor to the success of E2 because they provide real-time intelligence that increases the situational awareness and response capacity of SAPS.

“With E2, operationally-relevant intelligence is securely fed in real-time to SAPS and its other law enforcement partners. The crime prevention units have controlled access to the intelligence, enabling them to respond more quickly and strategically to extortion incidents,” added Viljoen.

Ensuring a quick and effective response

To facilitate timely response to reported extortion threats, E2 operates 24/7, communicating directly with SAPS Operational Control Centres.

“When a threat is reported, the E2 representatives activate the issue and are actively involved until the issue is resolved. A task team is rapidly assembled, comprising SAPS, municipal police, and NPA representatives. The teams assist businesses in developing safety plans and, where necessary, initiate tactical initiatives such as heightened law enforcement patrols in the area affected,” Viljoen explained.

Rolling out E2 to other sectors

The E2 Initiative started out with the construction and infrastructure sectors, but BACSA is presently extending it to retail, logistics, and SMEs, where companies are increasingly coming under attack by organised crime.

“E2 is engaging in all the major business sectors and growing through collaboration with industry associations and business chambers. We would like to establish it as the core operational interface between private sector businesses and law enforcement for instant crime prevention,” Viljoen said.

Policy engagement and strengthening legal frameworks

Despite the South African legal framework for extorting prosecution being good, there is a challenge for BACSA regarding policy clarity of procurement process still remaining prominent.

“BACSA agrees that our legal system is adequate when properly applied. However, we are calling for more policy transparency, particularly regarding procurement procedures, to prevent loopholes exploited by criminal syndicates. All policy engagements are funneled through the NatJOINTS National Priority Committee to prioritize and optimize resources,” he said.

Proven results: Making an impact on crime prevention

BACSA’s anti-extortion programme has notably seen success in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, where task teams specialising in extortion have successfully disrupted criminal syndicates.

BACSA CEO Dr. Graham Wright recently noted the success of the program: “Our programme has been successful in areas where attempts at extortion were shut down by concerted effort with law enforcement. Now is the time for businesses to make best use of this system to protect their operations.”

Call to action: Businesses must take a stand

BACSA urges all targeted companies to move quickly by reporting incidents through the E2 Initiative. With access to SAPS specialist units, the NPA, and local law enforcement, companies can protect their businesses from criminal threats.

No business should feel the threat of extortion alone. With E2, we leverage the resources we need to move in, keep businesses safe, and close off criminal networks before they take root. If you’ve been affected, now’s the time to act,” Viljoen appealed.

To find out more or report an attempted extortion, call e2.bac.org.za or email BACSA at info@bac.org.za.

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“The South African Police Service (SAPS), together with Eyes and Ears (E2) partners and other law enforcement agencies have shown the power of collaborative efforts in maintaining community safety and security. These efforts have also significantly bolstered our shared mission to create a safer environment for all, particularly during such pivotal events,” said BACSA executive project manager Fouché Burgers.

The support provided was within the framework of the national general elections security plan which was compiled by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS).

Footage from E2 partners’ CCTV cameras, drones, and information provided from the helicopters was streamed live to the National and Provincial Operational Command Centres, which enhanced surveillance and response capabilities.

that the success of this national security plan stands as a testament to the dedication and strategic acumen of the SAPS, and the constructive partnership between government and the private sector.

BACSA executive project manager Fouché Burgers

“I would also like to commend all the E2 partners for their participation in this initiative of national importance. The provision of access to their facilities and the constant feedback supplied by security companies while patrolling their normal areas of business amplified the situational awareness on the ground and contributed in no small part to the maintenance of law and order over this period,” said Burgers.

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This includes deploying drones and helicopters, and supplying police with CCTV footage and access to their control room monitoring systems.

A meeting between private security role-players and police was held this week where police outlined their general elections security plan.

The plan, compiled by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), is based on a thorough threat and crime pattern analysis.

This includes police and voting stations, which have received threats of intimidation before Election Day, as well as areas prone to service delivery issues.

During a briefing on Sunday by the Justice Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster, police minister Bheki Cele refused to go into detail about the national security plan.

However, Cele did reveal that out of the 23700 voting stations across the country, 500 were identified as high-risk.

“We are putting our eyes firmly on those. We have worked with the Independent Electoral Commission, we have those (voting stations) that are giving us problems,” he said.

This week members of The Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2), a joint crime-fighting initiative between SAPS, Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA) and the private security industry, were briefed on the general elections security plan.

BACSA executive project manager Fouché Burgers said about 350 members of the E2 initiative will assist police both before and after elections.

“We had meetings with the police, we have regular meetings with the police not just during election time. During elections, it’s not only the day of elections, it’s both before and after. We will focus on being better eyes and ears for police, with our geographically broadened footprint of the private security industry across the country, and of course with technology such as helicopters and cameras. We will feed the police with situational information, what’s happening on the ground constantly, to make sure they are able to respond quicker.”

Burgers emphasised private security would not be taking over police functions but merely assist on a supportive basis.

It is understood that at least 20 helicopters will be supplied and deployed by private security in Gauteng alone during the election period.

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In a recent interview with ProtectionWeb, Neal Froneman, chair of Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA) and CEO of mining group Sibanye-Stillwater, stressed the need for a long overdue strategic response.

“We have to stem the losses and business disruption that result from these criminal activities. Organised crime has raised the cost of doing business and living in South Africa – now we must and will raise the cost of doing business for organised crime and their bosses,” said Froneman.

The Froneman way? Disrupt, dismay, dismantle, destroy and mobilise everyone to achieve it – fast.

“Organised crime has become entrenched as a parallel economy, and it would be a real mistake to underestimate how interlinked all these illegal activities are.  Dealing with criminal syndicates and making it more difficult for them to operate effectively by disrupting their activities is a real priority for BACSA,” said Froneman.

Described as a business actionist, Froneman chairs a new BACSA board of business heavyweights constituting the closest thing South Africa yet has to a functional multi-sectoral “War Cabinet” against crime.

Froneman has in recent months conducted a relentless campaign against official incapacity and incompetence, sparing neither BACSA’s primary partner, the SA government, nor the business sector itself. His efforts have resulted in building powerful consensus and working ties on the need for decisive action on crime across the business, governmental, civil society and security spectrum.

“It’s clear that business has to take charge of its own destiny in areas where public services are falling short. This is really important so that the private sector can be competitive and contribute its full potential to South Africa growing as a nation,” he said.

Does BACSA have the legitimacy and indeed capacity to play a leading role in dealing with both government and criminal justice and security institutions?

Froneman said over the many years of its existence, now approaching 30 years, BACSA has maintained a trusted and respected relationship with government, as well as the business community.

“This has enabled the organisation to play a pivotal role in matters, pertaining to law enforcement and criminal justice, and being the primary point of liaison between government and business.” 

Will you and BACSA develop dedicated strategies and capacities to fight Zama-Zamas, the illicit copper economy, gangs and construction mafias?

Froneman said the challenge relates to the inordinate time taken to address these matters, and the consequential infusion of these malpractices in the fabric of society, as well as ensuring that existing strategies and interventions are achieving their objectives and outcomes.

“Shared intelligence is a critical weapon in our armoury, and BACSA will coordinate across sector-based business associations with linkage into the state forensic intelligence services to isolate kingpins and build cases that can be prosecuted effectively.”

Will direct subjugation of Zama Zamas, gangs and criminal entities become necessary soon, but with blended psychosocial interventions?

Froneman said it is clear that the infusion of Zama Zamas and gangs into the fabric of local communities and beyond requires considerable thought and intelligence – with greater societal and other impacts being fully considered beyond a so-called ‘Iron Fist’ response.  “Visible policing is important to keep a lid on the scale of activity and make the costs of engaging in criminal activity higher.”

“The measures we are taking to block unauthorised entry into our operations and to stop the flow of supplies such as food and materials used by illegal miners are making it more costly to sustain illegal operations.  Although there is a plentiful supply of unemployed recruits with mining experience available to the syndicates to replace those who are arrested and it remains a lucrative activity.”

“We need intelligence-driven operations to move our efforts higher in the syndicate structures.  Stimulating a shift in social perceptions to appreciate the destructive nature of organised criminal activity is also important to enlist a whole of society’s response.”

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