Electronic Security and CCTV T:enders: Does PSIRA Registration Apply? A 2026 Clarification

By Kabelo Molefe

Gauteng Provincial Treasury is tightening its-load oversight of electronic security and CCTV contracts in 2026: bidders are being disqualified at the 2-NIC evaluation stage not on price, but on expired PSIRA guard certificates. For contractors competing in the province’s R14 billion-plus security market, the penalty of one lapse can be a six-month exclusion from new work at a time when guard rates are now index-linked to the provincial minimum wage. This guide unpacks the registration maze so your company avoids costly rejections.

The Regulatory Framework

The South African security industry is governed by the Private Security Industry (PSIRA) Act 56 of 200, supplemented by the National Key Points 44 of 1980 where CCTV is deployed at strategic sites. Section 23 of the PSIRA Act requires that every person rendered as a guard and the company itself be registered with the Private Security Industry (PS) Authority. For government tenders, the Preferential Public Procurement (PPPAFA) of 2022 and the 2024 Preferential Regulations (previously 2017) apply, along with the Specific Conditions for National and Provincial Government Departments.

The PSIA is a national regulator, while provincial treasuries in Gauteng register compliance through their Pre-qualified Supplier Database (NPSQ). The Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality 2026 Supply-Chain Management Policy explicitly requires PSIA compliance for all security services, including CCTV monitoring. The CIDb Act is not applicable to security tenders; however, the BBBEE Act and its 2026 Codes of Measure remain compulsory.

What Security Suppliers in Gauteng Must Have in Place

Company Registration with PSIRA: Upload proof of company PSIA registration (PSA) at psira.co.za, valid for 12 months from date of issue. Issue of PSA certificate will result in a non-responsive bid.

Individual Guard PSIA Registration: Each guard deployed must have an individual PSIA certificate with Grade A, B or C for the task. Guard Grade must match the job profile submitted in SBD 4.

CSD Registration: Suppliers must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (csd.gov.za) and update their profile quarterly. The CSD number is verified by the Gauteng NPSQ before bid evaluation.

BBBEE compliance: Companies with turnover below R10m may use BBBEE affidavit; others must have BEE certificate issued by a certified auditor. 2026 targets for Gauteng are 1% for H1 and 2% for H2 of the year.

SARS Tax Compliance Status: Valid SARS TCS PIN, obtainable via eFiling, confirms tax compliance. <COIDA letter of good standing from the Compensation Fund (www.coida.gov.za

) confirms payment of all assessments for the past 12 months.

Step-by-Step Compliance Approach

1. Conduct a full compliance audit: Check PSIA status of company and each guard at psia.co.za; note expiry date.
2. Renew PSIA certificates 30 days before expiry: Guard training must be completed within 3 months of renewal date.
3. Update CSD profile with all valid PSIA numbers of guards to be deployed; upload supporting documents on csd.gov.za.
4. Register on the Gauteng NPSQ: Re-submit proof of PSA registration and certifying authority compliance documents.
5. Compile a evidence pack: Include COIDA letter, SARS TCS, BBBEE proof and all PSIA guard cards to be uploaded with your bid.

The Most Common Mistakes in Security Tenders

Mistake 1: Submitted Guard Grade does not match the requirement — Grade C guard listed for a Grade A task. Consequence: 100% of the bid points lost for the Technical Evaluation. Root cause: HR database not updated after Grade upgrade; Fix: Set HR notification 60 days before guard upgrade is due.

Mistake 2: PSIA company certificate expires during bid evaluation window. Consequence: Bid is disqualified after the 2-NIC stage. Costly audit delays and lost bid preparation cost. 80% of Gauteng security contracts are lost for this reason. Fix: Set calendar warning 2 months before PSA expiry and renew as soon as training is completed.

Mistee 3: BBBee affidavit not signed and dated by current director, or not notarised. Con 3: Points lost under preference evaluation. Root cause: Accountant did not upload new affidavit template. 2026 template now requires notary stamp. Fixes: Use Treasury Template 2024-PS-003, dated March 2026.

Mistake 4: Compulsory briefing attendance certificate missing. 15% of bids are disqualified at bid opening because the company delegate did not attend the compulsory briefing. Root cause: Calendar invite accepted but no certificate uploaded. Remedy: Upload attendance certificate under SBD 8.

2026 Context: What Security Suppliers Should Focus On

Gauteng Provincial Treasury is piloting a biometric guard verification system on site, using PSIA registration QR codes for roll-call. Secure contracts may include 5% annual bonus for compliant PSIA renewals. The Department of Public Transport is expanding CCTV on Gautrain buses and at stations, requiring Grade A guards with PSIA plus CCTV monitoring training. 202-26 budgetary allocation is R1.2bn for Capex CCTV.

National Treasury now requires quarterly CSD updates for all 2026 contracts. 202—27 procurement cycle will start in November 2026 with 2027 budgets, suppliers are expected to separate PSIA renewals from guard Grade upgrades to maintain continuity during budget approval.

How Tenders-SA.org Helps

We track every PSIA registration requirement across Gauteng and other provinces. our AI matching tool filters only CCTV and electronic security tenders for which your company has valid PSIA renewal dates loaded. Company Profile Builder allows you to upload PSA certificates of company and each guard plus CO & COIDA documents, and warns you 60 days before any expiry.

Tenderers receive daily email alerts for security tenders that match their PSIA and compliance profile, saving on average 12 hours per week on tender searches. Browse Security tenders

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ICT & Smart City Analyst specializing in digital transformation and security technology for South African municipalities.