The private security industry in the country is witnessing substantial growth.
In the lead-up to his murder on November 3, 2024, Mark Lifman’s name was frequently mentioned in conversations surrounding this sector due to his extensive connections.
Reports from Daily Maverick indicate that the number of active private security personnel in South Africa exceeds three times that of the police workforce.
As of 2024, the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira) has recorded over 2.8 million registered security officers.
Of these, more than half a million – specifically 577,444 – are employed actively.
For comparison, the most recent annual report from the South African Police Service noted a workforce of 184,106.
A report presented to Parliament by Psira in September 2024 pointed out the obstacles in effectively regulating the sector.
It stated: “The Authority acknowledged that regular inspections are conducted but are impeded by a lack of sufficient capacity.
“Currently, Psira employs one inspector for every 200 security companies (1:200), whereas the ideal ratio should be 1:110.”
Upon Lifman’s murder in George in November 2024, he was known to be closely connected with private security operations in Cape Town.
The two suspects arrested in connection with his death, Johannes Jacobs and Gert Bezuidenhout, also have links to the security sector.
Both had rendered services for Professional Protection Alternatives, commonly referred to as PPA Security or PPA.
This firm is well-known in the upscale Atlantic Seaboard neighborhoods of Cape Town and had prior associations with Lifman.
On Thursday, December 5, 2024, law enforcement executed a raid on PPA’s headquarters in Cape Town, with attorney Martin Hood noting that the raid was linked to the investigation into Lifman’s murder.
He confirmed that firearms had been confiscated for ballistic testing.
Hood stressed that PPA was fully cooperating with the authorities and that their operations remained unaffected.
