Recent research conducted by Irish-Qhobosheane (2005) showed that private security officers outnumbered police officers in South Africa by four to one. Apparently South Africans are relying increasingly on private security to fill security gaps left by an overextended public police force. Generally, the private security industry is composed of individuals and companies that provide services to clients that involve protecting persons and property. The activities, structure, and performance of private security businesses are based in free-enterprise business principles. So that the private security enterprises can be constrained by public interests and safety, the South African Government has passed legislation designed to ensure that the quality and scope of private security businesses serves public as well as private interests. Legislation has established the Security Officer's Board, which exercises control over the occupation of security officers. It focuses on countering misconduct, abuses, and corruption in the industry. A number of critical issues remain to be addressed by the government and the private security industry. The role of the public police in relation to the private security industry must be defined; and guidelines and mechanisms must be developed to enable the police and security industry to cooperate. These matters can be addressed through clear policy guidelines. Mechanisms must also be created to enable the state and the security industry to counter elements in the industry that are involved in illegal activities. This requires criminal justice intervention. Also, the public must be protected on those occasions when they interact with private security personnel. This can be done through effective regulation. 21 references