The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA), which was established in 2001 to regulate South Africa’s private security sector, has assured that it is committed to sound governance, transparency and accountability. This followed the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) carrying out a search and seizure operation at the PSiRA offices on September 22.

The SIU is the country’s independent agency for the investigation of corruption, malpractice and maladministration in State institutions or involving State assets and public money.

The SIU is investigating a contract, valued at about R130-million, regarding training services for the Unemployment Insurance Fund. The SIU stated that the raid had been conducted because the PSiRA had failed to properly comply with an SIU request for documents.

“PSiRA respects the mandate and processes of the SIU and is cooperating fully with the investigation,” it assured, in a statement. “The Authority will comply with all lawful requests for information, documentation and access required by the SIU to enable the investigation to proceed without obstruction.”

PSiRA further assured that it would supply all relevant records and information that were requested through the relevant legal processes. It would do nothing that could interfere with or undermine the SIU’s investigation.

It stated that it had been unaware that it had failed to fully comply with the SIU’s documents request, saying that there had been “constant communication” between the two organisations. It added that it would carry out an internal investigation into why not all the requested documents had been sent to the SIU.

“PSiRA recognises the importance of allowing an independent investigation to run its course,” it affirmed. “Any findings or recommendations arising from the investigation will be considered and addressed through the appropriate governance and legal processes, with due regard to procedural fairness. The Authority therefore urges stakeholders, members of the media and the public to allow the SIU process to proceed without speculation or prejudgment.”