BSFS echoes collaboration in security industry
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday March 11, 2024 11:53
The summit grouped key players in the security and fire industry for collaboration as Botswana strives to move towards peace, governance and safety, as outlined in the National Vision 2036 pillar. The purpose of the summit was to unite all the facets of business engaged in security, safety and occupational health and risk.
The event widened the narrow perspective of security that only thinks of security personnel.
The two-day seminar encompassed other forms of security including information security, cyber security, risk assessment and management, fire safety and occupational health. Speaking on the opening day BSFS chairperson, Tshireletso Chingwaru said the collaboration in security and fire industries is key as they are interlinked and this would help the private sector help the government achieve her Vision2036 pillars.
"In the contemporary landscape marked by the imperatives of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), we need to comply here as well. This is why we have brought in the security companies to learn those from the ESG experts. Every business requires you to show sustainability.
The time of shift is now as we strive to achieve the Vision 2036 pillar. We can no longer afford to operate in silos and a new approach is needed, to collaborate and effectively address these safety issues," said Chingwaru. The head of private security services in the Ministry of Defence and Security, Veronica Rabakani said the BSFS forms building blocks towards mindset change by the industry players to embrace a new perspective.
She further said the BSFS would help propel the security industry in to international standards as she said collaboration is in the heart of the approach to building a safe and secure nation. Rabakani said challenges faced in the industry require both the input of the private sector and the government. She, however, called on the security companies to register and comply as she warned that they would be stripped off their licences. She said this is to ensure maintenance of high standards. "It is, however, government policy that the sector be regulated to ensure high standards are maintained and the law is complied with at all times.
The regulation is to ensure compliance with the laws of Botswana. However, it has emerged that most security companies vehemently disregard the laws especially employment legislation. I would therefore, like to caution industry players to refrain from this as we will be enforcing the law, which may result in suspension or cancellation of their licences," Rabakani said.