VIP protection, also called close protection or bodyguard services, puts a trained officer next to a person rather than at a gate. It is booked by executives, visiting delegations, public figures, people attending high-risk court cases and families facing a specific threat. The work is mostly planning and discretion, not confrontation. Tell us who needs cover, where and for how many days, and PSIRA-registered companies with trained close protection officers quote you directly. It is free and there is no obligation.
Advance work comes first
Most of the protection happens before the principal arrives. Officers visit the venues, check entrances, exits and the nearest hospital, and plan the route with an alternative in case of roadworks or a protest. They agree how arrivals and departures will work, who is allowed into the room and what happens if plans change. Ask any company how long they allow for advance work. If the answer is "we just pitch up on the day", keep looking.
Officers, training and firearms
Close protection officers must be registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA), and the better ones hold a recognised close protection qualification on top, with first aid and defensive driving training. Ask for the officer's PSIRA grade, training certificates and references. If the officer will be armed, they must be competent for the firearm they carry and licensed under the Firearms Control Act. Unarmed protection is often the right choice for meetings, conferences and public events, while armed cover is chosen after a proper risk assessment.
What a package includes
A typical team is built around the risk, not a fixed formula:
- One officer: for a low-profile executive or a short visit, often doubling as the driver.
- Two or three officers: a lead protector, a driver and a second officer who checks venues ahead.
- Escort vehicle: a second car travelling with the principal for higher-risk movements.
- Control room support: someone tracking the movement and calling in help if needed.
Cash in transit escorts are a separate service and are not covered here. Ask who pays when a plan changes at short notice, such as an extra day or a late-night return, because overtime rates differ between companies.
Costs and discretion
Close protection is priced per officer per day, and a rough 2026 guide is R2,500 to R5,000, depending on training, armed or unarmed cover and the hours. Vehicles, fuel, accommodation and meals for out-of-town work are usually billed on top. Discretion is part of the service: officers dress to match the setting and keep your movements private. If you only need crowd control at a function, event security costs far less, and for a home or office security guards are the better fit.
What to include in your request
- Who needs protection and the reason for the request
- Dates, hours and the towns or venues involved
- Armed or unarmed officers
- Whether you need a driver or an escort vehicle
- Accommodation and travel arrangements
VIP Protection for different sites
- Homeowners and families: an officer at the home and on the school run during a specific, credible threat
- Estates, complexes and body corporates: an officer who coordinates with the gatehouse for a resident or a visiting delegation
- Offices, shops and retail centres: executive protection at meetings, board dinners and trips with a driver
- Factories, warehouses and yards: protection for management during wage disputes, closures or site visits by dignitaries
- Building sites and contractors: an officer for senior staff at tense site meetings or community engagement
- Farms and smallholdings: officers for the family and visitors during a farm dispute or court case
- Events, venues, hotels and lodges: protection for a guest speaker, artist or dignitary at a hotel or lodge
- Schools, clinics and churches: protection for officials, witnesses or speakers at high-risk hearings and public events
Frequently asked questions
Who actually needs a bodyguard?
Is a bodyguard allowed to carry a firearm?
Can I hire one officer for a single day?
Will the officer drive for me?
VIP Protection by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg