Private Security Companies Guidelines Formulation Begins

Private Security Companies Guidelines Formulation Begins

Government security agents together with government Ministries are in a two day meeting to formulate Guidelines for the operations of Private Security Companies so that this fast growing industry is properly regulated.

Since 2001 several attempts were made by Malawi Government to put in place guidelines for the industry but failed to do so. Lack of the guidelines has led to unregulated security company business and in very often times some of the security companies have been providing poor security service to customers.

Principle Secretary for Internal Security Mr. Often Thyolani when opening the meeting on Wednesday said the guidelines seek to address continued poor security service most companies are providing to customers.

He said the guidelines will ensure that people are following procedures of setting up the security company, security companies are offering adequate and proper security training, reasonable remuneration, proper recruitment, and ensure that security companies have adequate security equipments.

“Every game has rules just like football, for a long time the security companies have been operating without guidelines.”  Said Thyolani

He noted that due to the growing concerns of security in the country private security companies can play a crucial role in supporting Malawi Police Service in combating criminal activities. “We need private security companies to fill the security gaps.” He said, but bemoaned that the way security companies operate leaves a lot to be desired hence the need to formulate the guidelines that will help to end unprofessionalism characterized by most security companies.

He mentioned that theft cases happening in the country have in most cases been linked with security guards. He said this has been the case due to poor pay by security company owners and inadequate trainings.

Thyolani therefore pointed out that the guidelines will also set minimum wage to ensure discipline among security guards “Lack of reasonable remuneration is influencing security guards to find other means to help themselves. They steal at their workplaces, sometimes guards may connive with criminals to steal the very things they protect. We have numerous cases on this.” he said.

Earlier, Commissioner of Police Director of Research and Planning Dr George Kainja made similar remarks by Thyolani on the importance of regulating the private security companies so that they effectively support police in provision of security in the country “Security is prerogative of government but police cannot handle security matters alone we need to partner with private security companies but must be guided”

He added “The best way if we are to move forward in fighting crime, is where we begin to work together with security companies but we need to look at hiccups making private security companies not to do their job in efficient manner. So this is why we decided to come up with something that can guide the conduct of security companies” and mentioned that after the meeting there will be consultation meetings with security companies on the guidelines.

Officials from Malawi Police Service, Malawi Defense Force (MDF), and government ministries of Justice and Constitution Affairs, and Ministry of Labour are in those that are in the meeting.