• Security companies say taking away guns will leave them and the communities they serve defenceless.

• The draft law aims to track firearm use in the booming private security industry.

Private security companies are pushing back hard against a new proposal to take away firearms from guards working at malls, taxi ranks and protests.

They say the plan, if passed, will put both guards and the public at serious risk.

The draft amendment to the Private Security Industry Regulations was signed off by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on 28 March. It’s meant to tighten control over how private security companies use and store guns and ammunition.

Mchunu told Parliament that by September last year, private security firms legally held over 126,000 firearms. Of those, 847 were reported lost or stolen.

But Tshenolo PI, a private security company, says the real problem is criminals — not licensed security guards.

“Criminals are always found to be heavily armed when we arrest them. How are we expected to fight them without firearms when the first thing they do is shoot at us?” said a representative.

He said the police should rather focus on fixing the loopholes in the current gun laws.

Simphiwe Khumalo from Thatazonke Anti-crime Unity agrees. He says criminals now use automatic rifles while guards only carry semi-automatic weapons.

“If the draft law is passed as it is, it will be a huge setback for the security industry,” he said. “If government wants us to use stones, we’ll commit to that.”

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance has launched a national petition against the proposed amendments.

DA police spokesperson Ian Cameron said private security is essential in a country where the police are already stretched.

“Private security plays an important role in supporting the SAPS,” said Cameron.

Pictured above: Tshenolo PI says the gun ban will cripple their work.

Image source: Tshenolo PI Facebook