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Security guards face victimization in the workplace as well as through the nature of their employment as first responders to criminal activity. Consequently, these risks threaten their job satisfaction, wellbeing, and turnover rate in the industry. Exacerbating the problem further is the dearth of scientific studies and reliable reports on the victimization of security guards specific to the South African context. Thus, the goal of the study is to explore the victimization of security guards working in Gauteng, South Africa. This paper is informed by 14 qualitative one-on-one interviews with security guards. The narrative accounts provide rich and descriptive data which were thematically analyzed. The findings suggest that security guards experience victimization in terms of their working conditions and crime victimization while on duty. Moreover, the implications of victimization are exposed. Interestingly, a recurring theme throughout the paper is the sense of powerlessness experienced by the participants as substantiated through literature. This paper makes a unique contribution to industry and academia due to the dearth of scientific studies and reports on the victimization of security guards specific to the South African context. Additionally, the paper advocates for working towards sustainable solutions through work engagement, awareness, training, and effective management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the role played by traditional leadership in crime prevention and provision of safety in places under traditional leadership in northern KwaZulu-Natal. It probes whether Amakhosi in the research area understand their role in the provision of safety for their subjects. The article also shows the importance of crime prevention in rural areas as part of the comprehensive development of such area. The article identifies some of the major role-players that are expected to provide crime prevention and some of the roles that they must play and it explores whether such role-players play their parts. The article confirms the kind of relationship between Amakhosi and other crime prevention and/or community safety providers. It argues that if all role-players fulfilled their roles, Amakhosi will be empowered to provide community safety in their various areas. If not, the rural communities under Amakhosi will be vulnerable to crime that can be prevented. Government departments as well as NGOs can assist Amakhosi and their communities regarding crime prevention other than being reactive after crime has been committed. Isolation of rural communities might ignite vigilantism since some individuals might feel that those who are supposed to assist them do not care resulting in them punishing any one they feel has been committing crime. The article focuses on three Amakhosi in the northern part of the province of KwaZulu-Natal. In order to achieve the objectives of this article, a qualitative research design was followed. One-on-one semi-structured interviews with Amakhosi were conducted. Research of this nature assists to describe and explain the implementation of some of the legislation that have been devised to provide services and facilitate development in areas such as rural areas. The findings are useful to both crime prevention service providers and Amakhosi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]