The Southern African region has seen a rapid development and increased reliance on the private security company (PSC) industry, creating accountability gaps as legislation and regulatory capacities have not kept pace with the growth of the industry.

In June 2019, DCAF and the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) gathered together with 30 participants from 13 States across Southern Africa to discuss the governance implications of the industry. The workshop discussed the establishment of a network of regulators to exchange information on challenges and best practices and ensure more effective implementation of PSC regulations. You can read the report from the workshop: Sharing Good Practices Between Private Security Regulators in the Southern African Region. 

Together with expert consultant Sabele Gumedzo, DCAF has published an extensive research study on private security regulation in the Southern African region. The baseline study provides strong empirical research, analysing the scope of the sector, its challenges and the current challenges in regulation. With a set of recommendations, the baseline paves the way to reinforcing legislation and adapting policy frameworks in the whole Southern African region.