The focus on Sniper Security over the past weeks made for interesting reading.
Unfortunately, it also resulted in the loss of 64 jobs according to the owner, Walter Stander.
The dispute between the former employees and Sniper Security took some nasty turns when some loyal to Walter claimed that they have received death threats and threats that they might be raped.
They also had to endure abuse in public with employees of a rival company allegedly hurling insults and abuse at the Sniper workers.
Walter phoned The Bulletin and said that he decided to close the business. “I have paid for my past but people still want to dig it out and shame me with it,” Walter said.
Sniper released the following statement to The Bulletin during last week:
Over the last few weeks, Sniper Protection Services has fallen victim to mediocre media sensation, instigated by a former disgruntled employee. We have been ridiculed, our lives have been threatened and our employees have been harassed while doing their work.
The picture painted by the media about the way I run our business is not only an insult to our employees and myself, it also does not give a true reflection of the day to day operations of our company.
We have offered our community which include the farmers a valuable service and we are proud of our employees for their effort and that they stood with us during this time. We also received many messages of encouragement and support from customers and friends while dealing with this unfortunate event.
We have not been offered a fair opportunity by the media, other than a second-rated “Whatsapp voice note “ to give an honest statement of the affairs of our business.
We have obtained legal advice and will handle the matter with our legal team.
Unfortunately, with all this in mind, as well as the negative impact this had on our business, employees and customers, we had to take a decision on the future of our company that will have a negative impact on the more than forty (40) employees we have employed.
As from today, Sniper Protection Services will cease its operations with immediate effect.
Yesterday we have paid all our employees, (those who have given us their banking details), their salaries for January 2020.
We thank our customers for the opportunity to have served them as well as our employees for their hard work and being part of our company.
As the late Elvis Presley said: Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it isn’t going away.”
We thank you.
Walter Stander
DIRECTOR
PSiRA also investigated Sniper Security and decided to suspend their registration. This effectively means that Sniper is no longer able to render services as a Security company.
Here is their statement:
PRIVATE SECURITY REGULATOR REINS IN SNIPER PROTECTION SERVICES
CENTURION, 06 February 2020- Post its media statement dated 23 January 2020, the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) has effectively suspended the registration of Sniper Protection Services and its Director, Mr Walter Stander, for alleged improper conduct.
Section 26 1(a) of PSiR Act 56 of 2001, prescribes that “If there is a prima facie case of improper conduct in terms of this Act, or of the commission of an offence referred to in the Schedule, against a security service provider, the Authority may suspend the registration of the security service provider, (a) pending the conclusion of an investigation or enquiry by the Authority into the alleged improper conduct.”
On the strength of the overwhelming evidence gathered, the Authority has therefore suspended all the operations of this security service provider.
The Authority is also considering the applicability of Section 26(4)(iii) which states that if the security officer/Director is deemed no longer a fit and proper person to render a security service; his or her registration could be withdrawn.
Accordingly, in line with the provisions of Section 26(3) of the Act, the effect of this suspension means that Sniper Protection Services and/or its Directors may not render any security service unless the prior written permission of the Authority has been obtained, but during the period of such suspension the security service provider is still bound by all the obligations of a registered security service provider provided for in the Act.

The Bulletin received calls from concerned friends and colleagues regarding an alleged assault on the editor, Encee van Huyssteen. He was told that a journalist was assaulted by a group of people on Thursday night. While the editor has received threats and even death threats it never resulted in violence against any of The Bulletin’s staff members. The Bulletin has earned a reputation for bringing news from danger areas and will continue to do so.
Attacking journalists would not help the cause of the people.
The Bulletin obtained a press statement from The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) regarding the assault of a freelance journalist and two other people, one of which represents UNICEF.
The statement is placed as received!
SANEF Statement:
February 8, 2020
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) condemns, in the strongest terms, the physical assault of Frayintermedia journalist, Desmond Latham; a female staff member; and a female employee from UNICEF by a group of men at eMbalenhle township near Secunda on Thursday evening.
At about 4.45 pm on Thursday, Latham and his colleagues were filming a project for UNICEF on children in eMbalenhle township. They had no idea that there was a conflict about an ongoing battle at eMbalenhle township where the VUKTA taxi association is fighting a local bus company, Megabus.
“We had stopped at the side of the road (corner R546 and eMbalenhle road) to film Secunda. The men out of the blue assaulted us. We had no idea what was going on other than they were criminals engaged in a robbery – and they were extremely angry and determined to assault journalists.”
“It was only when we arrived at the police station that the SAPS informed us of the tension and the road had been a flashpoint for taxi drivers who had been gathering there for a few days forcing people out of buses.
“There has been no report about this (story), and we were attacked without warning… Police were involved because the UNICEF person is from Brazil,” said Latham.
“These men are punching women. They appear to be (allegedly) hired by the association… The taxi company is targeting reporters,” he said.
SANEF is deeply concerned that journalists are increasingly facing violence and intimidation for exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression in this country. Women journalists face specific dangers and are especially vulnerable and sometimes subjected to mob-related violence when covering public events, often in reprisal for their work.
As a result, they suffer from trauma and the emotional impact of experiencing physical attacks which lead to anxiety, insomnia, irritation and or post-traumatic stress disorder, which can cause incapacitating feelings of horror, fear and despair.
SANEF was told that while the victims were not severely hurt, the attackers stole their Canon 5D and lens and damaged their vehicle.
Lathan warned journalists who may be heading to Secunda to keep a sharp eye out for “mobs of men”. A case of assault and robbery was registered at eMbalenhle police station.
SANEF believes that the intention was to intimidate journalists so that they are reluctant to write, research or speak about the territorial battle and violence in the taxi industry in Mpumalanga.
SANEF joins UNESCO and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in efforts to strengthen the capacity of Member States to implement, voluntarily, mechanisms to prevent attacks against journalists, to protect journalists, and to prosecute the perpetrators of these attacks.
We call on the Office of President Cyril Ramaphosa to take a leaf from UNESCO’s action plan that focuses on activities to raise awareness and train representatives of the judiciary, law enforcement agencies and parliaments on the importance of freedom of the press and the safety of journalists. A commitment to the protection of journalists allows journalists and media professionals to receive, produce and share information without facing physical or moral threats.

TP Stratten held their Annual Prestige Athletics meeting on Saturday, 1 February. Standerton Primary, Highveld Ridge Primary and Laerskool Secunda took part in this event.