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High-Level Protection: Spotlight On South Africa’s Most Powerful Security Firm

High-Level Protection: Spotlight On South Africa’s Most Powerful Security Firm

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Former South African police force member Chris Beukes noticed a gap in high-level security services available to individuals and non-government groups, and he capitalized on it. Beukes founded TSU Protection Services in 1999. The company started with one office and grew into a multinational business valued at around $4 million. Here’s a look at South Africa’s most powerful security firm.

Source: Thesa-mag.com

Chris Beukes TSU founder. Photo: gy6global.com
Chris Beukes TSU founder. Photo: gy6global.com

A former police officer started it

Chris Beukes, a former member of the South African Police Force, founded the company. While serving on the South African Police Special Task Force (SAPS), he protected the CEOs of several fortune 500 companies. He left the police force in 1999 to start TSU, bringing with him other former members of the SAPS to work at TSU.

Source: Tsuafrica.com

TSU training. Photo: Tsuafrica.com
TSU training. Photo: Tsuafrica.com

Why Beukes started it

When Beukes was working for SAPS, he realized that there were few security companies that specialized in executive protection or that guarded high-risk services. Beukes knew there were quality security forces across South Africa, but not enough personnel trained in niche skills, so he founded TSU.

Source: Tsuafrica.com

TSU helicopter. Photo: Helivac.wordpress.com
TSU helicopter. Photo: Helivac.wordpress.com

The rapid growth rate

The first TSU headquarters were in Cape Town, but to keep up with the firm’s growth rate, Beuke opened more offices in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Beukes says TSU has grown at a rate of 25 percent each year.

Source: Thesa-mag.com

TSU Namibia. Photo: amanidevelopmentcentre.com
TSU Namibia. Photo: amanidevelopmentcentre.com

The scope of the company

TSU has expanded significantly since opening in 1999. Today, the company has security specialists and offices in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, the DRC, Angola, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana and the U.K. The company also has a special training program, and a subsidiary group called A.M. Security. TSU employs over 1,700 people.

Source: Tsuint.com

2010 World Cup in South Africa. Photo: Timeslive.co.za
2010 World Cup in South Africa. Photo: Timeslive.co.za

A look at the clients

TSU is especially active in the mining, oil and gas industries, protecting some of the major companies in these fields. TSU keeps the company names confidential due to the nature of their work. TSU has handled crowd control at the FIFA World Cup.

Source: Thesa-mag.com

Tsu protective services training. Photo: Youtube.com
Tsu protective services training. Photo: Youtube.com

The investment in training

Beukes says he has invested millions of rand into building his training services to the highest level. His goal is to train his workforce to be equipped to address any security threat. Training includes bodyguard skills and more complex, tactic work. Ex-task force experts act as instructors at all levels.

Source: Thesa-mag.com

TSU agent. Photo: Tsuint.com
TSU agent. Photo: Tsuint.com

The TSU mobile app

TSU clients can use a mobile app as extra protection when they do not have their trained professionals at their side. Through a quick shake of a cell phone, an individual can alert TSU to the fact that they are in danger, and send video surveillance of their surroundings.

Source: Tsuprotect.com

Thesa-mag.com
Thesa-mag.com

Risk analysis and management

In addition to active security personnel, TSU offers security consulting to high value companies. TSU analyzes and assesses the company’s risk for issues like corporate theft, fraud and unauthorized product matters, and implements tools to reduce these risks.

Source: Tsuafrica.com