“The skull, followed by the temperament: the two hardest parts of the body.”
– J.M. Coetzee, Disgrace
The South African province of Gauteng, home to the securitized cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg, is very different from the Western Cape. Gauteng may lack the pristine sandy beaches, lush green vineyards, and Cape Dutch architecture, but there is something that it does have over the Western Cape: a plentiful supply of private security companies (PSCs). Figures from the 2009/2010 Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) report shows that out of the 7,459 registered security companies spread out over 9 provinces, Gauteng accounts for 2,722 of those businesses, or roughly 36% of South Africa’s private security sector. Gauteng also boasts of having 151,991 out of the 387,273 (39%) registered security officers in South Africa. What makes these statistics more startling is that they continue to grow, with the latest numbers in Gauteng roughly representing an annual increase of 15% and 7% in the aforementioned categories. The closest contender, the province of KwaZulu-Natal, only has 1,199 registered PSCs and 65,323 registered security officers. In other words, Gauteng is far and away the most securitized province in South Africa – and perhaps the most privately protected place in the world.
What’s the impetus for all this security? To start with, Gauteng is also one of the most crime-ridden provinces in the world. The 2009/2010 South African Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics reveal that between April 2009 and March 2010, there were over 8,000 robberies at residential premises – a sub-category of aggravated robbery involving the use or threatened use of force – in Gauteng province alone. To put that in some perspective, KwaZulu-Natal, a province with a slightly larger population than Gauteng, had about half as fewer robberies over that same time period. Although contact crimes (murder, rape, assault, etc.) and most property related crimes (particularly theft out of motor vehicle) have declined gradually over the past seven years, burglary at residential premises – does not involve the use or threatened use of force – has virtually remained steady. Not surprising, these two categories fall squarely under the purview of PSC operations. Walk the streets of Pretoria – never mind Johannesburg, the “crime capital of the world” – and you will see an endless string of barbed wire, electric fences, 24 hour a day alarm monitors, CCTV systems, outdoor beams and more. All the perimeter protection the heart needs. A fleet of armed response vehicles patrol neighborhoods; security guards man boom gates and “information” booths erected at key routes throughout neighborhoods and suburbs; PSCs not only provide residential security, but also deliver security services to commercial, retail, and financial institutions. Security begetting security.
Endless theories on the causes of crime and violence in South Africa have been put forth, some with more credence than others. The most common and credible hypotheses focus on poverty, inequality, and the brutal legacy of apartheid. However, more interesting research has recently emerged concentrating on what has been dubbed a “moral degeneration,” emphasizing how crime shapes (or reshapes) the context of decision making, specifically the decisions of would-be criminals. Yet no theories focus on the other side of the crime story: the public’s reaction to high crime rates. What drives this push for more and more private security is the question that interests me. It can’t be just crime, can it? And then what are the social impacts of this highly securitized state? What are the psychological ramifications? These are the things I think about – not crime – when I walk the streets of Pretoria.
Lastly, I’m curious how private security feeds into people’s perceptions of safety. Next month I will be conducting a door-to-door survey (I will write more about the survey in the coming weeks) for my research project, trying to gauge people’s perceptions of safety in regards to their use of private security. Here’s a sample:
1. Fear of criminal activity was an important reason I chose to purchase private security services.
Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree |
6. Private security companies help to reduce crime rates in my neighborhood.
Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree |
9. Without private security services, I would feel less secure.
Disagree | Agree | Strongly Agree |
I would very much be interested to read your ideas about possible survey questions or general thoughts you may have on this topic.
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