The ANC on Sunday said it was concerned about increasing number of privately owned security companies which had mushroomed in South Africa.

Chairperson of the peace and stability sub-committee, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, said the problem was that some of these companies were not owned by South Africans.

“Most of them are companies from oversees and when they come here and employ people who are undocumented.

“We have also observed that they are well equipped and well-armed and have high calibre weapons way beyond what the police in South Africa have. This is a phenomenon that we [South Africa] are concerned about.

“We can’t have a private security company that is better equipped than the police in the country,” said Mapisa-Nqakula.

She said because the private companies were so well-equipped, they were the ones protecting government departments and national key points.

“Any country which is vigilant about it’s defence of their revolution cannot have the private security securing the national key points.”

She said: “People who guard national key points should be vetted but if you have no control over who guards the national key-point, then you won’t be able to vet those people.”

On cyber security, State Security Minister David Mahlobo said protecting state information must be prioritised by government.

“The recent bill which has been approved by cabinet, that must go to parliament, must be fast tacked including the question of public awareness.

“We also looked at countering terrorism and violent extremism. Terrorism is a matter that concerned every country around the world.

“South Africa will not be an exception; we will put the necessary measures in place so that we have the information so that we can respond…”