What Europe Can Learn from South Africa’s Private Security Evolution

From State Failure to Private Force

South Africa’s private security sector did not arise as a trend but out of dire necessity. In an exclusive interview with V24, Michael-Jean Geldenhuys, a South African private security executive, explained, “After apartheid, the government struggled to reform the national police service.”

This failure coincided with a sharp surge in crime from home invasions to hijackings that the state could not effectively address. Faced with this insecurity, citizens “took matters into their own hands, and private companies stepped in to fill the void.” This was not a luxury but a survival strategy.

Drawing parallels with Europe, Michael-Jean warns that rising crime, weak borders, overstretched police forces, and political gridlock are pushing citizens to seek protection beyond the state. As pressures mount in cities like Paris and Berlin, Europe faces a stark warning: without urgent reform, it risks following South Africa’s path toward privatized security, and the deep social divisions that follow.

When the Police Don’t Show Up, Who Does?

South Africa’s private security does not simply fill gaps but often acts as the front line where state policing is absent. “In many areas, we are not entirely replacing state policing; instead, we are assisting it,” Geldenhuys clarifies. “In suburbs, farms, and urban areas, our teams are the first responders. We patrol, investigate, arrest, and even mediate disputes.”

This frontline role blurs traditional lines between public and private security. However, the executive stresses that in Western democracies, a similar shift would require a fundamental mindset change: “If citizens no longer trust public systems to protect them, they will turn to the private sector. If done responsibly, it can be effective, but it must be accompanied by strong regulation and clear accountability.”

Security for Some, Not All

The expansion of private security in South Africa has exacerbated social inequalities. “It has already happened here,” Geldenhuys acknowledges. “Middle- and upper-class families live in secure estates with electric fences, armed patrols, and instant response services. Poorer communities rely on understaffed, often ineffective public police and get little help in emergencies.”

This division is a warning for Europe. “Unless European governments take bold steps to restore faith in the public safety system, this divide will also occur there. It’s not inevitable, but it’s the likely outcome if no changes are made.”

Technology plays a crucial role in modern private security. “We use drones extensively to monitor farms, patrols, and CCTV cameras. These are not luxuries; they are critical to protecting lives.” While these tools offer vital capabilities, the executive cautions, “Europe should look to our experience as both a warning and an example. These technologies can be abused, but they also save lives. What matters is transparency, proper regulation, and clear ethical standards.”

Legal Grey Areas and Migrant Tensions

South Africa’s private security operators frequently face unclear legal frameworks. “South African law often lags behind reality on the ground. Private guards sometimes need to arrest suspects or enter properties, but the law is vague about how far they can go. That puts our teams at risk of prosecution for doing their jobs.”

Europe, Geldenhuys notes, is not yet prepared for these regulatory challenges. “If private security becomes mainstream there, governments will need to move quickly to set clear boundaries, create oversight structures, and avoid the regulatory vacuum we’ve seen here.”

Migrants occupy a complex position in the South African security landscape. “Many of our guards are migrants from Zimbabwe and Malawi, and they do excellent work. But it isn’t very easy. Some migrants have also been involved in serious crimes, from farm attacks to robbery. This dual role causes deep mistrust in some communities.”

Geldenhuys warns this dynamic is already appearing in Europe: “Migrants are part of the workforce and also part of the social unrest. Managing that tension will be crucial to maintaining public trust.”

To maintain discipline in a system outside traditional police oversight, South African companies rely on internal mechanisms: “Our guards are thoroughly trained, body cameras are used, and every incident is logged. We operate under Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) regulations, but real accountability stems from our clients and our ethics.”

Europe “has the chance to do this better by planning. Establish independent regulators, enforce licensing, and make transparency a requirement from the beginning.”

The Future of Security

Europe may be on the path toward a private security future resembling South Africa’s. “Wealthy neighborhoods in France and Sweden are adding patrols, cameras, and limited access. South Africa just arrived there earlier due to our circumstances.”

On firearms, South Africa currently allows citizens to apply for licenses to own guns for self-defense, but “there is a political push to ban self-defense as a reason to own a gun altogether.” Geldenhuys warns, “If that happens, law-abiding citizens will be disarmed, while criminals will continue to be armed. That would make our job harder and force more people to rely entirely on private security.”

This warning is particularly relevant for Europe: “Disarming citizens without guaranteeing their safety through the state creates resentment, fear, and ultimately, a black market. Responsible gun ownership is not the problem. Lawlessness is.”

Hard Lessons, Urgent Warnings

Reflecting on lessons learned, Geldenhuys identifies one key mistake: “We got it wrong when we shut down the Commando system (a network of local militia units) without replacing it. Our rural areas have never recovered.”

At the same time, innovation in the private sector has been a lifesaver. “We got it right by allowing innovation in the private sector. Our industry adapted fast to real threats, and that saved lives.”

His final advice to European policymakers and city mayors is a call to action: “Be honest about what’s happening, empower responsible actors, and regulate with foresight. Please don’t wait until it’s too late.”

Heike Claudia du Toit

South African | Content Writer

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Michael -Jean Geldenhuys

Close Protection Security | Event Security | Farm Security