Question NW846 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
17 April 2023 - NW846
Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Whether, in light of the recent protests at the University of Witwatersrand and across institutions in KwaZulu-Natal which have been characterised by violent clashes between students and private security personnel, he has found any means of regulating the procurement of private security services by public institutions of higher learning; if not, why not; if so, (a) are their methods of engagement with student protestors regulated and (b) is there consequence management when they use excessive force against student protestors?
Reply:
The Higher Education Act (Act 101 Of 1997) as amended, does not give the Minister the authority to regulate procurement of private security services by public universities.
(a)The conduct of private security companies, including how they engage with student protesters, is regulated by the Private Security industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). Through the PSIRA Act of 2001, PSIRA is granted powers to "exercise effective control over the practice of the occupation of security service providers in the public and national interest", "promote a private security industry which is characterised by professionalism, transparency, accountability, equity and accessibility" as well as "promote high standards in the training of security service providers amongst others".
(b) PSIRA has developed a code of conduct and a complaints management process through which affected members of the public can lodge complaints against a security company.