Manabela Chauke, director cum chief executive officer at Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) studied a Bachelor’s degree in Jurisprudence (B. IURIS) from the old Vista University (Mamelodi Campus). He is currently finalising an LLB with UNISA and has completed various intermediary courses and programmes on leadership.
His first job came through SAPS as a police officer. He worked in legal services for a very short period, then moved to the prosecution section of the police force and later joined the NPA as regional public prosecutor.
“I had no idea that one day I would lead PSIRA, but after leaving the NPA, I was interested in leadership and how organisations were structured around governance.”
He says that the training he received in the police force made him the type of leader he is today. “I approach things differently due to my experiences in SAPS.”
A high note in his career, one that afforded him the opportunity to be where he is today, was joining Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs (the biggest law firm in Africa). “I worked with the forensic division and my life changed completely. I learnt that corporate values define professional organisations and if lived to the core, can make a difference in one’s life.”
His current role as director of PSIRA is effectively a chief executive officer’s role. He is the head of administration for the organisation and his role is primarily focused on strategic management.
Daily, he has two to three hours of attending meetings with his internal stakeholders. Meeting with the CFO takes most of his time, followed by HR and communication. He also spends time analysing business operations, risks and signing off strategic appointments. He spends two to three days per week discussing strategic issues with the chairperson of the council.
His biggest challenge is to always be one step ahead of a changing environment. Research and development has become vital if his organisation is to successfully address the future. “My role and responsibilities will be affected by the changing face of regulation.”
As new responsibilities and accountabilities have been added to the PSIRA mandate, he says this will change the way things are done today.
Hi-Tech Security Solutions asked if he thinks the latest proposal on local ownership for the private security industry will have a substantial impact on the industry? “Yes, any change in legislation will naturally have an impact on business because it brings with it obligations for compliance, so yes, there will be an impact on affected portions of the private security industry, but I do not think it will be substantial,” Chauke says.
We also asked what PSIRA’s plans are in terms of dealing with unregistered companies that pay below standard wages and don’t contribute to employee’s provident funds – among other unethical business practices?
Chauke responds that “Our legal strategy towards unregistered companies has and will always be zero tolerance towards law breakers. We criminally prosecute unregistered companies and refer matters of enforcements of labour infractions to the department of law and the enforcement structures of the provident fund. Our future plan is to drive awareness campaigns on the role of PSIRA, the role of the industry by targeting ordinary members of society with the hope of getting to potential future players on this industry.”
His advice to new entrants in the security industry is to understand the security environment both from a political, constitutional and business point of view; and to pursue leadership studies such as MBAs.
“I think that any ordinary security officer who is passionate about leadership can make it to greater heights within this industry. This industry is no longer for security officers only; I have seen lawyers, scientists and finance professionals playing important roles within the industry, so the horizons are wide. Any professional field that can add commercial value within this industry is ideal for new entrants within the industry.”
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