SECURITAS RSA – Anti-Crime’s Second Front

Crime, long a threat in the daily life of the ordinary South African, continues its fearful climb; robberies with aggravating circumstances up 39% since 2012, and murder cases and home robberies up by a third.

And as the crime stats soar, public confidence in the national police force plunges.
On a 2017/18 World Economic Forum scorecard of police reliability to enforce the law, South Africa ranked in the bottom 13% of 137 countries.

NO FAITH

Two years on, and nearly one in two citizens say they have no faith in the 150,000 frontline officer South African Police Service.
And since law and order, like nature, abhors a vacuum, the country’s private security industry now dwarfs SAPS, with well over twice as many private security officials as police officers.
While most South Africans are re-assured by this second line of defence, critics say it is increasingly, even illegally, usurping the powers of police.
Ashleigh Parry, Country President of Securitas RSA, the South African operation of global security giant Securitas refutes this, arguing that private security is delivering a necessary and complimentary service.

FILLING THE GAP

“As well as crime, there are allegations of deep levels of corruption within much of our State arm. It seems maladministration of state funds has stretched public resources and created an enormous gap in the state’s ability to provide effective security to both private residents and businesses. This has created a real need for additional security services, and the gap is being filled by the private security industry.

“I realise this is almost like a begrudging service since we would like our police to be able to do it. But through no fault of their own, the police are very stretched and have neither the capacity nor resources to deal with the demands of our environment.

“We support our police and work closely with them. And of course, there is a boundary to our legislative capabilities, and unlike the police, as private security officials, we are not allowed to execute the law.”

Headquartered in Sweden, where it was founded in 1934, Securitas grew through acquisitions – Pinkerton, the legendary American detective agency that pursued Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, was one – and is now the largest private security provider in the world, with over 300,000 employees in 53 countries across North and South America, Europe, Africa, Australia, the Middle East and Asia.

INDUSTRY LEADER

Leaders in the transformation of the global security industry, from traditional guarding to a wide range of protective services, Securitas came to South Africa in 2009, since when it has been protecting homes and businesses, shaped by a holistic approach and its three guiding principles of ‘Honesty, Vigilance, Helpfulness.’
Acquisitions figured heavily in the first 18 months of the South African operation which saw a 700% growth rate. Now with a staff of 4500, Securitas South Africa is looking to match its global brand’s ambition and double its business by 2023.
This, says Parry, will be delivered by organic growth, and a stake in Securitas global-wide paradigm shift combining manned security services with advanced security technology.

“We are looking a lot at analytics, the CCTV aspects, and how we can apply them. We have clients with vast areas of space, such as in mining, quarrying and extensive areas of warehousing.”
Putting technology in these types of situations not only advances the ability to have eyes everywhere, says Parry, but also its capacity to supervise staff on the ground and respond to their requirements.

MANPOWER PLUS TECHNOLOGY

“We believe there is quite a substantial and significant requirement for complementing manpower with technology.
“This allows not only for an enormous improvement in productivity, but also a cost reduction. However, this is not to completely get rid of the man in a uniform, but rather to compliment.”

Last month a mediation settlement averted a security guard strike after failed wage talks between management and union representatives. Parry denies staff salaries are a calculation in the move to new technologies.

“It’s not a driver. We fully support these wage increases. They make for a better standard of living, and at the end of the day, a happier member of staff.
“Times are very tough, but I don’t want anyone to think that this is something we can capitalise on. People in unfortunate circumstances should not be taken advantage of, and we want to provide good and valued jobs for our staff.”

The high-tech paradigm shift prioritised by Securitas, is shaped by both a wider embedding of existing and incorporation of new technology. “Technology is always evolving, so we have to keep up with that.

“Locally and internationally, we invest heavily in R&D to ensure we are keeping abreast of all these advances, allowing us to create the very best solutions for our client’s needs on a case-by-case basis.”

SA SPECIFICS

A deep understanding of the security business, together with local knowledge and the ability to lean on its global operation and financial resources, means Sandton-headquartered Securitas RSA is well positioned to address distinctive South African needs and the specific challenges facing its clients, says the South Africa Securitas chief who arrived at her command post six months ago.

And from these complex national challenges, emerges operational sophistication. “I guess South Africa has a crime savvy approach, and so we find that compared with some countries, we are quite advanced from the technical aspects.

“Crime, I’m afraid, is a matter of fact in South Africa’s daily life. Our criminals, their tactics and execution, are constantly evolving, and we need to ensure that at least we are at keeping one step ahead.”

The causes of crime are routinely part explained by many factors such as a poor economic performance, exacerbated by State corruption, cronyism and nepotism – yawning inequalities, and unemployment now running at over 29% (46% of black people are unemployed, and 9.8% of white). Parry acknowledges causes and effects.
“While South Africa’s economy is in – to use a loose term – dire straits, this creates an environment that is conducive to rising crime levels, and a situation where the requirement for security will continue to be demanding.

“I also believe that as we go on our journey as South Africa, and our continuing uncovering of corruption and corrupt practice, more and more companies will want to do business in a transparent manner and with ethical partners. And we pride ourselves on being ethical, with values and standards in line with this.

INCREASING MARKET SHARE

“And unlike some of our competitors, we are finding more and more that we are passing through due diligence processes with ease, and I believe this will stand us in good stead in increasing our market share and business aims and goals.”
With further acquisitions discounted for the present, growth will come from new clients and new sales. But competition within the well-established, big stakeholder South African security sector is tough.

“Yes, it’s really hard. Awareness of our global brand here in South Africa is limited, and increasing that awareness is a very big focus of ours. I believe that one of our best marketing tools is to provide an excellent service so that people will talk about South Africa Securitas, and hopefully refer us.”

Suggestions that expansion might include penetration of Africa north of the Limpopo are met with caution. “While not in the short or medium term, it’s certainly on the radar, and it would take a very foolish person not to consider it.”

Meantime President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced plans to improve policing in South Africa – with a focus on improved police visibility, training of police officers, and an improvement in the quality of general and specialised SAPS investigations.

RAMAPHOSA WARNS

And on the economic front, the President warned this week that unless the country acts to turn things around, there will be yet more difficult times ahead.

“Put simply,” said Ramaphosa, “we are spending far more than we are earning, with debt service costs now the fastest-growing area of expenditure.

“This position is precarious and unsustainable. We need to make significant changes and we need to make them now.”

Ashleigh Parry is supportive. “My personal view is that President Ramaphosa is striking on all fronts, but there’s political infighting and trying not to alienate portions of his base.

“It’s a hugely obstacle-ridden path that he has to walk. It won’t happen overnight, but it would give some confidence to foreign investors if things happened more quickly.

CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY

“But it is not all doom and gloom. Challenges can bring opportunities, and if you can find ways of working within these confined spaces there are enormous opportunities for growth.”

And for Securitas RSA – continued expansion to a doubling of business by 2023?
“Yes, I believe we are on track. The opportunities are there, and with the right commitment and focus we will achieve this.”