Devendra Kumar
As South Africa continues to struggle with an alarming rise in violent crime, many citizens are turning to private security firms to protect themselves. In Johannesburg, a city often referred to as the hub of South Africa’s economy, carjacking and armed robbery are rampant. Thamsanqa Mothobi, a father of three, recently fell victim to carjackers who stole his vehicle and accessed his mobile banking apps. He believes his luck that he was not killed during the ordeal.
According to official statistics, South Africa has seen an average of 75 killings and 400 robberies with aggravating circumstances every day in the past year. Experts warn that the South African police are losing the battle against crime, leading citizens who can afford it to invest in private security services. The country’s private security industry is massive, with more than 2.7 million registered security officers. In comparison, there are fewer than 150,000 police officers serving the country’s 62 million people.
Private security companies offer a range of services, including armed response, patrolling neighborhoods, and tracking and recovering hijacked or stolen vehicles. These firms employ former police officers, such as Anton Koen, who now runs a security firm specializing in tracking and recovering stolen vehicles. Koen believes the murder rate is the highest in 20 years, and the justice system seems to be failing the public.
While private security firms earn a monthly fee from clients for their services, they often come into contact with high-risk situations, such as car thieves and hijackers. In one instance, Koen was involved in a high-speed chase of suspects, leading to the confiscation of a vehicle linked to burglaries and armed robberies.
However, not everyone can afford private security services, and the majority of South Africans rely on an under-resourced and struggling police force. The stark reality is that crime can thrive in an environment where there is a disorganized police force, with insufficient resources and capacity.
The situation in South Africa is a stark reminder that crime knows no boundaries, and anyone can become a victim regardless of their social status. A recent high-profile robbery involving a government minister and her bodyguards highlights the danger posed by violent crime in the country. The expert, Chad Thomas, believes that the high levels of violent crime in South Africa are linked to anger over the country’s deep problems of poverty.
The police are trying to reverse the trend by introducing new recruits and increasing their presence on the streets. However, the challenge of addressing the root causes of crime, including poverty and under-resourced policing, remains daunting.