Nyanga shooting sparks calls for tighter oversight over private security

Cape Town’s Nyanga taxi rank was thrust into chaos on Tuesday morning as gunfire rrung out, leaving one security guard dead and seven others injured. In the aftermath, authorities seized 20 firearms, including 13 rifles and seven handguns.

The violent incident, reportedly linked to “intra-taxi association” conflict, has caused concern with the City of Cape Town authorities over the regulation of the private security industry and firearm oversight.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says it appears the firearms confiscated at the scene seem to belong to two rival security companies. He expressed his concerns about the sector’s role in organised crime.

“The manner and ability for a “legitimate” security company to become registered is concerning- with one of these security companies being registered solely with the purpose to “protect its members from taxi violence.”

He criticised the regulatory framework, noting that once registered, companies can legally acquire a range of firearms, which could be redirected into criminal networks, “through reasons of training or otherwise”.

Smith further revealed that the City’s early warning systems had flagged the potential for conflict at the taxi rank. He says this was shared with “relevant role players”.

Meanwhile, Smith is hoping for better management of the private security industry. He says he has been in talks in discussion with the SAPS and the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) on this.

“I have previously called on the SAPS for more diligent and thorough investigations and enforcement relating to the manner in which this sector is managed… I’ve also spoken to the head of PSIRA to raise these issues and suggested a revamp of PSIRA and better legislation to regulate private security companies that are thinly veiled private militias or involved in organized crime.”

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, also called on PSiRA to fast-track its verification of the seized firearms and security companies involved. He says the confiscation of high-calibre firearms is a reminder of South Africa’s ongoing battle with gun-related violence.

“Firearms are weapons used in most murders in South Africa, and the confiscation of such high calibre firearms highlights the need for enhanced strategies to rid the country and the industry of firearms.”