Johannesburg – The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) has suspended eight staff members following findings of serious irregularities in the registration processes of CAT Protection and Security (Pty) Ltd and its director, Vusi Matlala.
PSiRA said preliminary investigations into the registration processes of CAT Protection and Security and its director, Matlala, revealed improper conduct, procedural lapses, and systemic weaknesses in internal control mechanisms, including failures in document verification, oversight, and ethical compliance.
PSiRA said in light of these findings, and under the direction of the Minister of Police, the authority has, with immediate effect, implemented consequence management processes on implicated staff members pending disciplinary and criminal investigations.
The regulator said it has placed eight staff members on precautionary suspension following findings of serious irregularities regarding the registration of CAT Protection and Security.
Company director, Matlala, could not be reached for comment as he is presently behind bars after being denied bail by the Johannesburg High Court.
Matlala has been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering related to a 2023 hit on his socialite ex-girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane.
However, PSiRA said it has initiated a legal review of the registrations of CAT Protection and Security (Pty)
The regulatory authority said it is going to appoint an independent forensic firm to conduct a full investigation into the registration of the implicated company and individuals.
The vetting process for all new and existing registrations will be reinforced to ensure that criminal and background checks are independently verified.
PSiRA said it is establishing a Central Verification Unit to oversee all training records, qualifications, and criminal background results before any approval.
Another measure to improve efficiency includes the development of an Integrated Registration Management System linking PSiRA, the South African Police Service, the departments of Justice and Constitutional Development, Home Affairs, and Correctional Services for real-time verification of applicants’ information.
PSiRA said other measures to be implemented include:
- Implementation of an Internal Integrity and Ethics Framework, including mandatory declarations of interest for all officials engaged in registration, inspection, and enforcement functions;
- Deployment of a Quality Assurance and Internal Audit task team to review all business and individual registrations approved over the past five years;
- Immediate legal review of all approved registrations of individuals with criminal records;
- Immediate commissioning of a “Special Investigation and Inquiry Team” comprising of profiling vetting, auditing, forensics, legal and governance specialists to focus on registered individuals with pending criminal cases in the courts with the aim to review their registrations in terms of section 26(4) of the PSiRA Act 56 of 2001;
- Launch of a Digital Governance Review, focusing on enhancing cybersecurity, audit trails, and access controls across all registration and business intelligence systems within the Authority;
- Strengthening of the Whistle-blower and Anti-Fraud Framework, encouraging internal and external reporting of corruption, fraud, and irregularities; and
- Review of the Code of Conduct for Staff Members, aligning disciplinary consequences to acts of omission, negligence, or collusion in breach of the PSiRA Act
“The authority remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the restoration of public trust,” said PSiRA CEO Manabela Chauke.
“These actions are a clear signal that irregular conduct will not be tolerated within PSiRA.
“We will rebuild our systems to ensure that no individual can compromise the security and safety of our nation through regulatory loopholes.”
Chauke further assured the public that existing security service providers and officers in good standing remain unaffected, and that PSiRA’s registration and enforcement operations continue under enhanced supervision.
