Bill to regulate Tanzania’s private security companies on the

way, assures minister

The move is aimed at ensuring that all registered security companies are instrumental in maintaining security.

13 November 2017 Monday 19:59

By Azania Post Reporter

TANZANIA will soon introduce a new act to regulate private security companies to ensure it improve its services and
income to the government coffers, the Minister for Home Affairs, Mwigulu Nchemba has informed the House in Dodoma
today.

Speaking on his behalf, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office responsible for Policy, Parliamentary Affairs,
Labour, Employment, Youth, Anthony Mavunde said the bill toward enactment of the law has reached at an advanced
stage.

Mavunde was answering a question by Almas Maige, Tabora North Legislator (CCM) who wanted to know the position of his
private motion on security companies.

“Private security companies which was established in 1980’s have not been regulated today we have more than 850
registered firms, what are government’s plans?” he queried.

Reacting, Deputy Minister Mavunde, said the bill was now under cabinet level, it would then shifted to the Parliament for
debating before enacted.

According to Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander SACP Lazaro Mambo Sasa, the force is seeking enactment of
legislation to empower the force with regulation of private security firms saying the mushrooming companies pose major
security threats for they are not competent and also allegedly take part in crime.

Already, the force has formed a committee to ensure that only competent security firms are registered and any found to lack
the required standards (as set by the force) will be deregistered.

Mambosasa, said the aim of seeking legislation is to stamp out profit oriented private security companies which are not
committed to providing security.

We are trying to maintain a few security companies that are fully committed to protecting civilians and their properties rather
than having a bunch of companies with guards who collude to commit crimes, he noted.
The move is aimed at ensuring that all registered security companies are instrumental in maintaining security.

The sector which employs over two million people with more than 800 private companies engaged in guarding, cash transit,
sniffer dogs and escorts, has been without a legal framework since its liberalisation in mid-1980s.

Azania Post

Updated: 13.11.2017 20:45