Unregistered car guards had a last-minute reprieve this week when police suspended indefinitely the outlawing of all operations involving unregistered car guards in the Durban area.
This follows an earlier directive three weeks ago when police warned all unregistered guards and their bosses to register with the Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Sira) by April 1 or face arrest.
According to law, all car guards must be registered with Sira and be in possession of a Grade E security certificate.
Car guards were supposed to have registered with Sira at the beginning of March, but police allowed unregistered guards to operate in the city until April 1. The decision was made by the city's legal representative, advocate Vish Sewram, at a meeting with all major role-players in the industry two weeks ago.
Inspector Ashley Dove this week said authorities were looking at the implications of the law were it to be implemented.
"We are liaising with our legal department to see how the act can be applied. We are also concerned that the removal of car guards could create a vacuum. There are a number of things we are considering before we take any decisive action," said Dove.
The decision not to register car guards was met with sighs of relief from car guards around the city.
Nkosinathi Gumede, a guard on the Victoria Embankment, said the police should focus on the "real criminals".
"I am doing nothing wrong. I am just trying to make a living through the only way I know. It is not as if I am stealing and killing for money - this is an honest job. I don't even have money to register," said Gumede.
Patrick Odongo, a Rwandan refugee and car guard, said he was relieved by the reprieve.
"From the time I came to South Africa in 1998, I have been a car guard. If they arrest me, I do not know how I am going to survive as this is the only work I have ever done in this country," Odongo said.
In addition to Sira registration, legislation compels car guards to be South African citizens or holders of permanent residence permits.
Unregistered car guards are not alone in their fight to stay on the streets. Many Durban residents support them.
In a letter to the Independent on Saturday, Elana Bregin said the city's plan would put thousands of people out of jobs.
"It will favour the better-off at the expense of the worse-off - the very ones for whom car guarding represents an irreplaceable economic lifeline, but who have neither the financial resources, nor the literacy levels, to achieve the necessary qualification or the regular subscription to the organising body," she said.
Other readers said police had to give car guards time to get their house in order.
Sira Manager Caressa Venketiah said: "If a member of the public has a complaint about a car guard, we investigate the allegation and will arrest that guard if he is not registered."
Durban is said to have more than 1 000 car guards, half of whom are not registered.
- Anyone who has a complaint about a car guard can contact Sira at 031 309 4404.