The privatisation of security in South Africa : selected case studies

Abstract

The focus of this study is firstly on the broadening of the concept of security after the Cold War, and the concomitant realisation of the existence of an array of new threats that can threaten a stable world order. Secondly, the study focuses on South Africa, the prevalence of high crime levels, the growth of the private security industry, and responses and initiatives from the general public and the private sector in reaction to the high levels of crime. With a new dispensation in 1994, it was realised that government was not able to render sufficient protection to all citizens. The responses by civil society, the private security industry, the organised business and agricultural sectors, and other relevant role players such as certain labour organisations to crime, are analysed and discussed. An analysis of various anti-crime initiatives shows that these are largely launched and driven independently from each other. The lack of cooperation in South Africa amongst the private sector groups and organisations on the one hand, and law enforcement agencies on the other hand insofar as the combating of crime is concerned, does affect the more efficient combating of crime, but certain obstacles to closer cooperation do exist.