Lorna Monkley worked as a car guard for 2 and a half years in Potchefstroom. In that time she discovered so much more about what is was like to watch cars in South Africa.
Firstly I learned that there are legal and illegal guards. The legal guards have done training and gained a security “E” grade certificate and are registered at a monthly fee with Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA).
You can tell if they are registered as they wear (or should) a name tag with their photo and registration number. If they do not have one visible, you are within your rights to ask to see one.
Most of these work for security companies who are contracted to shopping malls or have permits/arrangements with the town council and SAPC to work certain streets or areas.
As a side note, security companies can be fined if they employ untrained/registered staff.
While there are a lot of very good, honest car guards who work without this training and registration, they run the risk of being fined or even imprisoned for doing this.
The smaller shopping areas (like some Spar/Boxer/Woollies or Food franchizes) or blocks sometimes ‘allow’ these guards to ‘work the parking area/work the strip’ for a daily/shift fee of R20-R50. This has to be paid up front before the shift starts.
There are, unfortunately, also of your ‘chancers’ and ‘skollies’ who pretend to be car guards to cover their real business of selling drugs or casing cars for theft etc.
No one is obliged to accept your services or pay you, so service and friendliness are key to how much you earn. The area you service is also relevant. Business people pay the most, while shoppers vary depending on their own finances and the time of month. Students are more regular, but do not have a lot of cash so usually tip small.
Foreigners are not used to the practice of tipping, so they either do not tip or ‘over tip’.
There is a prevalent mindset (mostly due to ignorence or bigotry) that car guards are begging.
NO! They are no more begging than your waitron at a restaurant and they do not get a basic salary so their tips are their income.
In my time as a car guard, I have been asked if I was too lazy or ‘slapgat’ to find a ‘real’ job, I have been sworn at, cursed and accused of theft and malingering, I have been accused of being a whore mascerading as a car guard and I have had a few small coins disdainfully thrown on the ground in the general direction of my feet for me to pick up.
I have ‘generously been offered the half eaten pie or partially drunk cold drink they did not finish before arriving at their car. Then sworn at if I refused it.
I have been ignored and almost run over.
The car guards powers with regard to arrests etc are limited by security laws to citizens arrest and they may only hold a thief/vandle or similar while awaiting the arrival of the police.
They may carry batons, sambok, or Whips,but. Hese are purely for self defence and minimal force must be used at all times in preventing crimes or making an arrest.
The biggest contribution a car guard makes, is their presence and vigilence as felons prefer easy targets, with less chance of being identified/caught.
The trained guards are also taught to be observant and be able to give a desciption of the incident and perpetrator. This works in much the same way as visible policing.
So whether you acknowledge them or not, whether you pay them or not, your car is probably safer just because they are there.
A car guard is expected to be available and on duty in all weather and is often not paid if they are undercover during a rain storm despite the fact that they are still able to see and protect the car.
The same applies if the sun is burning down on a blistering hot day.
A simple greeting and acknowledgement of their request to watch your car goes a long way to validating them as a person. And by the way ‘I won’t be long’ means little or nothing except that you will not pay.
A thief can access your vehicle in less than 30 seconds!
And just for reference purposes and clariy, I am a white retired female and this was less than 6 years ago.
by 