Security & Personal Safety Explored
By Staff Writer
Here’s how many private security guards there are in South Africa and what they earn. Private security officers in South Africa are paid according to their roles and responsibilities.
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The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority has published illustrative contract pricing guidelines which are set to take effect from March 2022, providing an overview of what security guards can earn in South Africa.
Data from the regulator shows that there are over 2.4 million registered security officers across the country, with just under a million in Gauteng alone. The country has a total of 11,372 registered security businesses.
Being a registered security officer does not equate to employment, and PSIRA’s data shows that far fewer security officers are actively employed (564,540) across the country. The vast majority of these security officers are male (438,015) with just over 200,000 working security guards located in Gauteng alone.
What security guards earn
The new contract circular published by PSIRA this week gives a broad overview of what security guards can earn in South Africa.
However, it should be noted that these are not finalised and that a security guard can earn substantially more depending on which security company they work for.
The wage ranges from R4,805 – R5,986 a month depending on their role and the geographical area they work in. This works out to an annual salary of between R57,660 – R71,832.
Private security officers in South Africa are paid according to the roles and responsibilities they have. Guards are therefore graded between A and E based on the type of duty they perform.
| Grade | Function |
| Grade A | Primary function would normally be a site manager or commander. Controlling and managing a number of functions. Managing the security workforce. Conducting risk assessments and evaluations on site daily. Basic investigative skills. Problem-solving. Designing security solutions. |
| Grade B | Primary function is access control in high-risk areas where documentation and basic computer skills might be required. A site or shift commander. Managing of lower grade security officers. Possible inspector doing site visits. |
| Grade C | Primary function is access control of a higher risk area and supervision of lower grade security officers |
| Grade D & E | Primary function is access control, or patrol officers |
Pay is further separated into regional areas, with more densely populated regions typically paying higher amounts.
| Area | Covers |
| Areas 1 & Area 2 | Alberton, Bellville, Benoni, Boksburg, Bloemfontein, Brakpan, Camperdown, Chatsworth, Durban, East London, Germiston, Goodwood, Inanda, Johannesburg, Kempton Park, Kimberley, Klerksdorp, Krugersdorp, Kuils River, Mitchell’s Plain, Nigel, Oberholzer, Paarl, Pietermaritzburg, Pinetown, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, Randburg, Randfontein, Roodepoort, Sasolburg, Simon’s Town, Somerset West, Springs, Stellenbosch, Strand, The Cape, Uitenhage, Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging, Westonaria, Wonderboom and Wynberg |
| Area 3 | All other areas |
The rate of pay differs across South Africa in the following brackets.
| Security Officer | Areas 1 & 2 | Area 3 |
| Grade A | R5 986 | R5 020 |
| Grade B | R5 409 | R4 605 |
| Grade C, D & E | R4 805 | R4 567 |
Article Credit to BusinessTech Lifestyle.
What is your view of the number of private security guards in South Africa? Do you think we have enough security guards? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you found our content informative, do like it and share it with your friends.
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