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.

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Police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said members from Provincial Organised Crime, Multi-Dimensional Crime Intelligence, Kimberley K9 Unit and Kimberley Flying Squad raided the residence in Galeshewe after a tip-off regarding a meeting to plan robberies.

“They were found in the possession of SAPS uniforms, SAPS rank insignia, SAPS equipment, and three illegal firearms.”

“The trio, aged 29, 34 and 54 were arrested on charges of possession of suspected stolen goods and illegal possession of firearms.  They will appear in court soon,” she said.

Ehlers added that the possible connection to related crimes would also be investigated.

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The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) told ProtectionWeb the consultation process was ongoing.

In 2019 PSiRA told Parliament it proposed the regulations were to ensure that uniforms with resembles of the police and other law enforcement agencies are prohibited to avoid confusion in the public. It also proposed that the use of camouflage in the security industry be disallowed.

At the time, PSiRA director Manabela Chauke said based on research findings it could be argued that the use of uniforms that “are closely resembling of the SA Police Service and the military by private security companies cause confusion about their identity” and can be calculated as a deception to the public.

The Security Association of South Africa (SASA) hauled PRiSA to court when the regulations were gazetted and signed into law by the Minister of Police, without any effective consultation with the industry in 2021.

SASA national administrator Tony Botes told ProtectionWeb the association supported the principle that no uniform, vehicle or insignia may reasonably resemble that of police and law enforcement institutions, but the regulations must be much more specific and reasonable, “keeping in mind that here are literally hundreds, if not thousands of shades of blue.”

“Blue is, as we are all aware, the dominant colour being used by the private security industry and PSIRA is unable to specify which shade of blue (or the great number of other colours) would be prohibited or permitted; neither can they provide any statistics as to how many, if any, successful prosecutions they have had against companies or individuals.”

“It must be kept in mind that the army uses khaki and brown, the Navy blue, black and white, the Air Force predominantly blue and khaki, correctional services khaki, yellow and green and the Metro or municipal police differs from town or city to town or city,” Botes explained.

He said if the regulations came into effect it would force many companies to spend millions of Rands on rebranding.

“The impact would be catastrophic! In addition to the massive costs, millions of rand, to the industry as a whole. It would, joking aside, leave us only with such colours as lilac and pink for uniforms.”

Botes said SASA would wait to see if PSiRa was prepared to be more reasonable going forward.

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