According to PSIRA, the proposed amendments aim to tighten firearm and weapon controls while increasing regulatory oversight. Other changes include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Mandatory annual physical and psychological assessments<\/strong> for security officers, evaluating their visual, neurological, and emotional condition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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- Restrictions on semi-automatic rifles<\/strong>, limiting their use to protecting valuables and critical infrastructure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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- Mandatory tracking devices for all firearms<\/strong> used by security firms, with tracking service providers requiring government approval.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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- Restriction on ammunition,<\/strong> limiting it to a \u201creasonable quantity\u201d without clear guidelines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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- Security firms under investigation could be prohibited from issuing firearms<\/strong> to their officers, even if no charges have been laid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
However, experts in the security industry argue that these amendments are unrealistic and make their operations more expensive and less effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The South African Gun Owners Association (SAGA) warned that the new rules could destabilise the entire industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey will significantly increase the administrative burden and costs on private security providers and severely curtail their ability to render services to their clients,\u201d it said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another concern is the ban on firearm possession in public spaces, which SAGA stated would hinder armed response officers from patrolling or assisting in places like malls, hospitals, and schools without meeting government compliance conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fidelity Services Group CEO Wahl Bartmann agreed<\/a> with these concerns and added that the lack of clarity could have far-reaching consequences for industry operations and public safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe lack of precision in defining things such as \u2018reasonable quantity\u2019 of ammunition creates room for subjective interpretation and inconsistent enforcement,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is recommended that any such limits be clearly defined and adaptable to operational contexts, which the amedments fail to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another proposed change is enforcing annual psychological evaluations for armed private security personnel, which their employer must fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bartmann again highlighted a lack of clarity, with no clear evaluation standard or criteria guidelines, which could severely impact operational efficiencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chairperson of Parliament\u2019s Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, has also raised serious concerns about the proposed amendments to the Private Security Industry Regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cameron warned that private security firms could be closed overnight if the amendments proposed by the Private Security Regulatory Authority are implemented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that the amendments could jeopardise the R45 billion private security industry that employs over 500,000 guards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These risks come as the amendments will render security teams under-equipped against violent threats, punishing law-abiding firms for unproven accusations while creating vague and unenforceable operational criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PSIRA says no one is being disarmed or losing their job <\/h2>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/PSIRA-CEO-Manabela-Chauke-1-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/a>The chief executive of the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PRISA), Manabela Chauke.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n Despite the criticism of the proposed amendments, PSIRA CEO Manabela Chauke noted that the changes would not disarm security officers, no business would close, and no one would lose their job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Security firms under investigation could be prohibited from issuing firearms<\/strong> to their officers, even if no charges have been laid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Restriction on ammunition,<\/strong> limiting it to a \u201creasonable quantity\u201d without clear guidelines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Mandatory tracking devices for all firearms<\/strong> used by security firms, with tracking service providers requiring government approval.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Restrictions on semi-automatic rifles<\/strong>, limiting their use to protecting valuables and critical infrastructure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n