Security Guard Killed on Duty as Industry Faces Increasing Threats
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Introduction: A Nation in Need of Protection
South Africa, a country known for its vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and economic potential, is also plagued by some of the highest crime rates in the world. Amid this ongoing crisis, there exists a silent and often ignored war—one fought by the men and women in uniforms who work in the private security sector. These individuals, commonly known as security guards, serve as the first line of defense in communities, businesses, malls, residential estates, and even hospitals. Yet, their lives are constantly on the line.
In a recent tragedy that has shaken a small community in Gauteng, a private security officer was brutally killed while on duty, highlighting the extreme dangers these workers face on a daily basis. This incident is not an isolated case. It is part of a growing pattern of violence targeting security personnel in South Africa.
This article explores the disturbing trend of violence against security guards, the high-risk nature of their jobs, and the urgent need for policy, protection, and proper recognition.
A Deadly Incident That Reflects a Wider Crisis
On a cold evening in early June 2025, 39-year-old Thabo Mokoena, a security guard employed by a private security company, was gunned down during a robbery at a construction site in Johannesburg South. Thabo, a father of three, was monitoring the site’s perimeter when unknown suspects opened fire after he attempted to radio for help. He died on the scene.
Police investigations are ongoing, and no arrests have been made.
Sadly, Thabo’s story is not unique. It reflects a nationwide trend in which security guards are killed or seriously injured while trying to protect lives and property. Whether they are posted at retail stores, escorting cash-in-transit vans, or guarding gated communities, South African security guards are becoming prime targets in a country with high levels of violent crime.
The Growing Private Security Sector in South Africa
South Africa has one of the largest private security industries in the world, employing more than 2.5 million registered security personnel, according to the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). That’s more than the combined size of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
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Despite the size and importance of this sector, many security guards work under poor conditions, with minimal protection, insufficient training, and low wages. Most are armed only with batons or pepper spray, while criminals operate with semi-automatic weapons and tactical gear.
What Makes the Job So Dangerous?
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Armed Robberies
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South Africa continues to report escalating armed robberies. Security guards stationed at ATMs, malls, or transport hubs are often the first—and sometimes only—line of defense.
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Cash-in-Transit Heists
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These dangerous missions involve transporting large sums of cash and have become frequent targets for criminal syndicates. Explosives, AK-47s, and high-speed pursuits are not uncommon. A 2024 report by SAPS revealed over 230 CIT heists nationwide.
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Night Shifts and Isolation
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Guards working solo at construction sites, remote areas, or warehouses during the night are especially vulnerable to surprise attacks, ambushes, and hijackings.
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Lack of Equipment
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Unlike police officers, most private guards do not have bulletproof vests, radios, or backup on standby. This lack of gear increases fatality risk.
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Criminal Intelligence Networks
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Syndicates often use inside information and technology to track guard movements and plan hits.
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Economic Inequality and Exploitation
Many guards work under extreme pressure for as little as R4,000–R6,000 a month, while risking their lives daily.
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Most security personnel are employed through third-party agencies that prioritize profit over safety, leaving workers exposed. Guards are expected to stay alert for 12-hour shifts, respond to armed threats, and sometimes intervene during robberies—all without comprehensive medical insurance or death benefits.
Thabo’s wife, Nomvula Mokoena, now faces an uncertain future. “They gave me a call and told me my husband was dead. But they haven’t even offered us funeral money,” she said tearfully. “He was doing his job, and now my children are without a father.”
High-CPC Keywords in Demand for Security Job Seekers
As demand for private security grows, so does the competition for high-paying roles. Many South Africans are searching online for:
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high paying security jobs in South Africa
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VIP protection training
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private security license costs
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armed response vehicle job vacancies
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bodyguard jobs in Johannesburg
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security job with housing provided
Unfortunately, the gap between online job expectations and real-world working conditions remains vast.
Policy Vacuum and Industry Negligence
Despite the risks, the private security industry in South Africa remains largely unregulated in terms of minimum standards for worker safety. While PSIRA mandates registration, enforcement of safety protocols is minimal.
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There are also calls for the Department of Labour and Department of Justice to step in with stricter safety and labor oversight.
A Call for Security Reform: What Needs to Change?
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Mandatory Gear Provision
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Every licensed security company must provide bulletproof vests, body cams, and distress signal devices.
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Better Pay and Medical Cover
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Security jobs should come with health insurance, trauma counseling, and death benefits for families.
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Upgraded Training
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Guards need advanced firearms, tactical, negotiation, and emergency response training.
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Stronger Union Representation
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More power must be given to security labor unions to demand safer conditions.
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Tech Integration
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Remote monitoring, panic buttons, and AI-assisted surveillance can help prevent deaths.
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Global Comparison: Why Are Our Guards Dying?
In countries like the USA and UK, armed guards receive $20–$30 an hour, work in pairs or groups, and often have state-of-the-art protective gear. South African guards face third-world conditions in first-world crime scenarios.
Stories of Heroism and Sacrifice
Thabo is one of many. Others include:
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Siyabonga Dlamini, who died while stopping a mall robbery in Durban.
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Lerato Khumalo, a female security officer stabbed while protecting students at a university in Limpopo.
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Moses Phiri, who confronted burglars alone and was shot multiple times in Cape Town.
These individuals died doing a job that society barely acknowledges, but they are the unsung heroes of our nation’s safety net.
What Can Be Done Now?
For families like the Mokoenas, change cannot wait. Industry leaders, policymakers, and the public must demand action:
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Pressure companies to prioritize guard safety over profits.
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Support policies that fund mental health, medical, and funeral cover for private security workers.
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Recognize security as essential services and elevate their status and compensation.
The Way Forward for the Security Industry
The government, in partnership with private players, must establish a “Guard Protection Fund” that compensates the families of fallen security personnel.
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We must also strengthen partnerships between SAPS and security companies to prevent overlaps, gaps, and vulnerabilities in high-crime areas.
Conclusion: A Job That Demands More Than It Offers
In South Africa, being a security guard is one of the most dangerous jobs, yet also one of the least respected and underpaid. These workers serve as shields between chaos and order, often facing death without the tools or backing needed to survive.
The death of Thabo Mokoena is more than a tragedy. It’s a wake-up call to fix a broken system, protect the protectors, and elevate the standards of the private security industry.
As crime continues to rise and state resources remain stretched, private security officers are more essential than ever. But unless we act now, we will continue to mourn unnecessary deaths, while those who serve are buried and forgotten.
Let this be the moment we honor their sacrifice with lasting change.