We Spent R60 Billion on Security, and We're Still Losing the Fight Against Crime

Alwinco is South Africa’s leading independent security risk assessment company with over 20 years of experience in identifying real security risks and developing tailored strategies for individuals, businesses, and estates.

In this powerful article, we confront a hard truth: despite spending over R60 billion annually on private security in South Africa, crime continues to rise. The piece breaks down where the money goes, from armed response and guards to electronic systems, and exposes the missing link: independent security risk assessments. Without a proper assessment, security investments become guesswork, leaving South Africans vulnerable despite their massive spending.

The article challenges traditional thinking, warning that focusing only on physical barriers while ignoring insider threats, outdated systems, and poor planning builds an illusion of safety. It urges decision-makers to replace reactive security spending with proactive strategy and intelligence.

Alwinco’s message is clear: Crime cannot be undone, but smarter, data-driven security can prevent it.

1. PSIRA 2038881
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We Spent R60 Billion on Security, and We're Still Losing
the Fight Against Crime
Let me tell you a story — our story as South Africans.
Every year, we spend billions of rand on security. Yes, billions with a B. In 2022, it was R52 billion.
In 2023, we added another R57 billion. And in 2024, we reached a shocking R60 billion. This isn't
money the government spent; this is what you and I, private businesses, and homeowners paid
out of our pockets.
But here's the strange part: even with all this money spent, crime is still winning.
Hijackings are up. Assassinations are rising. Violent crime and organised crime are everywhere.
We're spending more and more, but things are getting worse, not better.
How is that possible?
Let’s Break Down Where the Money Goes
I looked at some reports to understand this better. Here’s how the R60 billion is split:
· 62% goes to armed response and alarm systems.
· 18% is used for security guards in estates and on farms.
· 12% is spent on electronic hardware: things like CCTV cameras, beams, and smart locks.
· 8% is for fencing: electric fences, barbed wire, and razor wire.
All of that adds up to R60 billion. But here’s what’s missing: security risk assessments. That’s
the foundation of all security. Without it, you’re just guessing.
And you know what happens when we guess? We waste money. A lot of it.


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PSIRA 2038881
Reference# 25/08/0414:44:34
Reasoning with crime is Futile. I remind myself daily: crime can’t be undone.
2025-08-0414:44:34

2. PSIRA 2038881
Intellectual Property Notice – Alwinco
This document and its contents are intended solely for the recipient. All rights are fully protected.
No part of this publication, including text, images, reports, or assessments, may be copied, stored, resold, or shared by any means without prior written consent from Alwinco.
Unauthorized use, distribution, or modification of Alwinco’s assessment materials is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. Page 2 of 4
I’ve been in this business for over 20 years. I've walked thousands of sites. And I can tell you this
with confidence: most people don’t start with a risk assessment. That means their whole security
plan is built on thin air. No wonder crime keeps happening.
Some people think, "I have cameras, guards, and an alarm, so I’m safe."
But that’s only part of the picture.
It's like building a house without checking if the land is solid. The walls may look good, but
everything will fall apart when the first storm hits. In this case, the storm is crime, and it hits hard.
We Could Build a City with That Money
R60 billion is a huge number. You could build a small city with it. But instead, we pour it into
security systems that don’t solve the real problems.
And it’s not just private spending. The World Bank says that in 2024, the total protection cost in
South Africa (including government spending) is about R308 billion.
Let that sink in:
· Private security: R60 billion
· Government budget (police, courts, prisons, military, etc.): R227.3 billion
· Scattered across various other parts of the security industry: The remaining R20.7 billion
Still, crime wins.
Most people ignore the biggest danger of all: insiders.
These are people on the inside of your business, your home, or your estate. Maybe it’s a staff
member. A contractor. Even someone you’ve shared a coffee or a braai with.
They know your routine. Your systems. Your blind spots.
But here’s the shocker: only about 10% of our total security spending goes toward protecting
against inner crime.
The rest? It’s all focused on what happens outside the fence.
That’s a massive problem. Why? Because many assassinations, hijackings, and big crimes are
planned and helped by insiders.
But people don’t want to talk about that. They say, "Not in my company. My people are good." Until
something happens.
Here’s the sad truth: we keep doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different
results.
That’s madness. Literally. Albert Einstein called it the definition of insanity.
Each year, we spend more:

3. PSIRA 2038881
Intellectual Property Notice – Alwinco
This document and its contents are intended solely for the recipient. All rights are fully protected.
No part of this publication, including text, images, reports, or assessments, may be copied, stored, resold, or shared by any means without prior written consent from Alwinco.
Unauthorized use, distribution, or modification of Alwinco’s assessment materials is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. Page 3 of 4
· R52 billion in 2022
· R57.7 billion in 2023
· R60 billion in 2024
· And maybe R65 billion in 2025
But nothing changes.
And when you ask why, it always comes down to the same thing: there’s no real strategy. No
security risk assessment. No follow-through. Just buying equipment and hoping it works.
Let me tell you what I’ve seen:
· Directors make decisions based on PowerPoint slides in boardrooms, not on real crime data.
· Companies ignore good proposals just because of paperwork or red tape.
· Tip-offs go nowhere because there’s no proper system to report suspicious activity.
· Evidence isn’t collected correctly, so court cases fall apart.
· Systems are tested in perfect conditions and then fail in real-life situations with crowds and
traffic.
· Residential estate thinks their estate is secure
And still, people say, “We’ve got security.”
No, you’ve got parts of security. A watch may look complete, but if one small gear is missing, it
won’t tell time. That’s what security is like.
Let’s be clear: I’m not saying alarms, cameras, and guards are useless. We need them.
But we also need:
· Independent security risk assessments
· Updated policies and court procedures
· Focus on insider threats
· Real communication systems
· Constant reviews of your security plan
And if your security risk assessment is older than 2 or 3 years, it’s time for an update. A good
assessment divides your plan into
· 70% for policies, planning, and management
· 30% for equipment and physical security
Security is a living system. You have to keep checking and adjusting.

4. PSIRA 2038881
Intellectual Property Notice – Alwinco
This document and its contents are intended solely for the recipient. All rights are fully protected.
No part of this publication, including text, images, reports, or assessments, may be copied, stored, resold, or shared by any means without prior written consent from Alwinco.
Unauthorized use, distribution, or modification of Alwinco’s assessment materials is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. Page 4 of 4
My Final Question to You
We’ve spent over R60 billion in private security this year alone. Add that to the government's
R227.3 billion. And we’re still losing to crime.
Why?
Because we’ve built an expensive system on a broken foundation.
And if we don’t fix that, we’ll keep spending more… and getting less.
It’s time to ask yourself:
What’s the real value of the money you’re spending on security?
If the answer isn’t safety, then something is very wrong.
It’s not too late to fix it. But we have to start with the truth.
And the truth is, we don’t need more security stuff; we need smarter security thinking.

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Alwinco Team
[email protected]