Massive private security wage strike planned for September in South Africa – here’s how much they earn in 2022
Unions for private security workers in South Africa have deadlocked in wage negotiations with employers, setting the stage for massive strike action in September.
The unions are demanding a wage increase of 16% or R900 across the board, with added benefits including extended family responsibility leave.
According to the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu), employers rejected the demand, offering only 5%.
“We are currently in the process of submitting our picketing rules, and we will be meeting with the employer on the 1st of September,” the union said.
It expects the rules to be concluded and signed on 12 September, with planned strike action on the 26th of September.
“Going on strike is not our priority as more than 500,000 security guards would be affected. However, the employer leaves us with no choice (but) to embark on a strike and we will not back down,” it said.
Union leaders said that private security guards outnumber the South African police by more than double – and more than triple the National Defence Force.
They said that the government, all private employers, factories, businesses and even hospitals need to appreciate the protection that these services provide.+
“The impact (of the strike) will be huge,” they said.
Private security workers earning around R5,000 a month in Johannesburg say they have not received a salary increase in the last three years.
What security guards earn
Data from the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) shows that there are over 2.4 million registered security officers across the country, with just under a million in Gauteng alone. The country has a total of 11,372 registered security businesses.
Being a registered security officer does not equate to employment, and PSIRA’s data shows that far fewer security officers are actively employed (564,540) across the country.
An illustrative contract circular published by PSIRA in June 2022 showed that wages range from R4,786 – R6,217 a month depending on their role and the geographical area they work in. This works out to an annual salary of between R57,432 – R74,604.
However, it should be noted that these are not finalised and that a security guard can earn substantially more depending on the security company they work for, and their role and skillset.
Private security officers in South Africa are paid according to the roles and responsibilities they have. Guards are therefore graded between A and E based on the type of duty they perform.
| Grade | Function |
|---|---|
| Grade A | Primary function would normally be a site manager or commander. Controlling and managing a number of functions. Managing the security workforce. Conducting risk assessments and evaluations on site daily. Basic investigative skills. Problem-solving. Designing security solutions. |
| Grade B | Primary function is access control in high-risk areas where documentation and basic computer skills might be required. A site or shift commander. Managing of lower grade security officers. Possible inspector doing site visits. |
| Grade C | Primary function is access control of a higher risk area and supervision of lower grade security officers |
| Grade D & E | Primary function is access control, or patrol officers |
Pay is further separated into regional areas, with more densely populated regions typically paying higher amounts.
| Area | Covers |
|---|---|
| Areas 1 & Area 2 | Alberton, Bellville, Benoni, Boksburg, Bloemfontein, Brakpan, Camperdown, Chatsworth, Durban, East London, Germiston, Goodwood, Inanda, Johannesburg, Kempton Park, Kimberley, Klerksdorp, Krugersdorp, Kuils River, Mitchell’s Plain, Nigel, Oberholzer, Paarl, Pietermaritzburg, Pinetown, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, Randburg, Randfontein, Roodepoort, Sasolburg, Simon’s Town, Somerset West, Springs, Stellenbosch, Strand, The Cape, Uitenhage, Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging, Westonaria, Wonderboom and Wynberg |
| Area 3 | All other areas |
The rate of pay differs across South Africa in the following brackets.
| Security Officer | Areas 1 & 2 | Area 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Grade A | R6 217 | R5 239 |
| Grade B | R5 640 | R4 824 |
| Grade C, D & E | R5 036 | R4 786 |
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