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.
