Managed security services in South Africa

Security considerations in South Africa

Programs in South Africa usually span Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, and many sites sit inside managed shopping centres or office parks with their own security operations. A managed program applies the same Post Orders, supervision and reporting format at each site and coordinates with centre management and armed response providers. English is the business language, and officers commonly also speak isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans or Sesotho depending on the region.

Retail peaks run from Black Friday through the December and January festive season, when Cape Town and the coast also receive most international visitors. Coverage plans should include relief officers, seasonal reinforcement, clear cash-handling and opening and closing procedures, and contingency steps for power interruptions affecting alarms, lighting and access control.

• Sandton City
• Nelson Mandela Square
• Rosebank
• Hyde Park Corner
• Melrose Arch
• Mall of Africa
• V&A Waterfront
• Cape Town CBD
• Century City
• Gateway Theatre of Shopping
• Umhlanga Ridge
• Menlyn Park

How MGP delivers coverage in South Africa

Coverage in South Africa runs on the MGP Global Partner Program: MGP designs and manages the programme, and officers are supplied by vetted local security partners and held to MGP Post Orders.

Private security regulation in South Africa

• Private security in South Africa is regulated by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA), whose mandate derives from the Private Security Industry Regulation Act 56 of 2001. Source

Cities in South Africa

• Johannesburg
• Sandton
• Cape Town
• Durban
• Umhlanga
• Pretoria
• Gqeberha
• Stellenbosch

Coverage in other locations, including Bloemfontein, Polokwane, Mbombela, Ballito, Franschhoek and the Garden Route, is arranged on request.

Frequently asked questions

Does MGP hold its own security licence in South Africa?

No. MGP does not hold a private security licence in South Africa. Officers are employed by vetted security companies that hold the licences required in South Africa, and MGP manages the program, its standards and its reporting.

What languages do the officers speak?

Officers speak English. Depending on the region, most also speak isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans or Sesotho. For luxury retail, hotels and corporate reception posts, the required language level is set out in each site’s Post Orders.

See the Africa overview for other countries.