R130 million corruption investigation at the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority

The DA has called on acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia to intervene in the management crisis at the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA).

This followed an investigation into R130 million in training contracts at the security regulatory authority.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) recently executed a search-and-seizure warrant at the premises of the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA).

This warrant, carried out with assistance from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), forms part of an investigation into training contracts.

These Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority training contracts are worth approximately R130 million.

“This is an investigation involving R130 million in taxpayer funds and raises questions about accountability, governance, and the management of public money,” the DA said.

It added that the PSIRA is currently without its critical oversight body, its Council, and the incumbent CEO is running the authority without oversight.

“The people of South Africa are being fleeced by an unaccountable, out-of-control PSIRA that is meant to ensure the Private Security industry is regulated,” the party said.

The DA asked the acting Police Minister to appoint a Council, with all prospective members properly vetted, so that PSIRA is subject to oversight.

It also asked Cachalia to clarify the role of the CEO as the acting Accounting Authority, while PSIRA is under criminal investigation.

The part also wants the Minister to initiate the process to place the CEO and CFO on precautionary suspension.

“While the SIU and Hawks investigate PSIRA, there is a risk that individuals may interfere with evidence or the investigation,” the DA said.

Lisa Schickerling, the DA’s Spokesperson on Police, said that the issuance of a Special Tribunal warrant against PSIRA is a significant development.

“We are concerned that the SIU has reported that PSIRA only partially complied with requests for documentation,” she said.

“Investigators are saying that a year’s worth of records necessary for the investigation were omitted.”

“A search-and-seizure operation should never be necessary to obtain records that a public entity is required to keep and make available to investigators.”