Backbone Security ‘goes beyond traditional armed response’

Backbone Security Solutions is positioning itself as a new kind of private security provider in Gqeberha, offering integrated solutions that go beyond traditional armed response.

Founded by a security industry veteran with experience dating back to 1998, the company was established after its founder noticed that crime in the city was evolving differently compared to other parts of South Africa.

The SA Red Cross Society in the Eastern Cape is in dire straits, with critical programmes facing closure. The situation is set to affect thousands of beneficiaries. The organisation’s Richmond Hill premises were ransacked earlier in March. Fridges, laptops, microwaves and mattresses were among the items that were stolen. The recent break-in is a major setback for the humanitarian organisation after 91 years of serving the broader Eastern Cape community. Gqeberha Red Cross branch manager Coralie Peo-Swartz, who also speaks on behalf of the provincial office, said the stolen items, including a generator used to power a soup kitchen, were valued at more than R320,000. This amount, she said, excluded the value of a safe worth R56,000 that the thieves had used an angle grinder on to break into. “We are really struggling financially,” Peo-Swartz said. “For us to recover now, we need R500,000. “We need that to put out the fires to cover all these costs and recoup what is gone and get back on track with our programming. “We can’t continue with the soup kitchen if we cannot feed the people. “We also have volunteers who can’t get a stipend now.” Peo-Swartz said laptops belonging to a training co-ordinator for marketing and PR programmes had been stolen and the robbers had also scattered training manuals all over the place. The thieves also took four sewing machines, cups, plates and glasses, dignity packs and even plastic basins which are used during Red Cross Day on May 8. Peo-Swartz said an investigation was under way relating to the incident, which happened at about 8pm on March 6. She said the thieves had forced their way in by breaking a padlock at the back of the premises before switching off the main power box and breaking open the back door. They then removed the cameras and forced their way into the storage room by kicking the door. This is where they stole food, mattresses, a big deep freezer, two fridges, two stoves and two steel gas burners. “They had all the time in the world,” Peo-Swartz said. In the safe, she said, there were old Red Cross medals, some of which were gold- and silver-plated, as well as critical information such as receipts and invoices. “This is why I’m saying this was just malicious ... they [even took] half a bottle of Sunlight [dishwashing detergent].” Peo-Swartz said they had been operating at the premises since 2000 and had suffered numerous break-ins but never to such an extent. “Our primary focus is on disaster risk management. “We’ve got programmes that respond to disasters, we do rapid assessments, we identify beneficiaries, we advocate for assistance and we stay within that community to support it for three to four months.” The assistance includes material support, donations of food items, social support and empowering communities with funds to replace what was damaged or lost. During the floods in Kariega, Motherwell and Kwazakhele, the organisation provided major relief for affected residents. “When it comes to [this area], we work with up to 48 schools, conducting substance abuse awareness and prevention programmes with grades 6, 7, 8 and 9,” Peo-Swartz said. The organisation would also refer abused children to the Eastern Cape social development department to find a safe environment for them. One of the big issues being addressed at present was bullying in schools, including cyber bullying. “It’s a big issue especially with kids as young as eight committing suicide. “We work with kids with HIV/Aids. “We do climate change programmes.” She said they also had a creche in Makhanda for children from impoverished backgrounds. “Every organisation has been affected by what is happening globally, including us. “It includes our struggle to get funding because we were dependent on donations from international foundations. “That means that our income and funding have depleted completely. We’ve done appeals ... we want any donations.” Peo-Swartz said the organisation only had designated funding to be used on specific programmes such as those addressing substance abuse and a project for orphaned and vulnerable children in Maluti. “But for all our other programmes, including our feeding programmes, we don’t have any funding. “We’ve got nothing and that is what is breaking our hearts because in the last year I think we fed 10,500 people in the Eastern Cape three meals at least once a week. “Now we’ve got nothing. “We don’t even have stoves to cook on.” She said the impending fuel price hike would also hinder attempts to serve about 21,500 beneficiaries involved in various programmes. South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) spokesperson Lindiwe Mlangeni echoed the financial challenges. “These challenges have been raised through internal reporting structures, including branch and provincial engagements as well as governance platforms such as provincial council and national-level discussions. “SARCS acknowledges that financial constraints at branch level are often linked to broader systemic issues such as reduced donor funding, increased operational costs and rising humanitarian needs.” She said the SARCS was actively working to address these challenges through improved financial oversight, resource mobilisation strategies and the strengthening of compliance to ensure sustainability across all branches, including in Gqeberha. Mlangeni said the incident had been formally communicated through the appropriate internal channels and escalated to provincial and national leadership. “Necessary steps are being taken, including reporting to relevant authorities, assessing losses or damages and reviewing security measures to prevent future occurrences,” she said. “Despite these challenges, SARCS remains committed to its humanitarian mandate and continues to explore innovative ways to sustain its operations and serve vulnerable communities.” Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said a case had been opened. “Several items were stolen from the building,” she said. “At this stage, the suspects remain unknown. “There is currently no video footage available to assist with the investigation.” She urged anyone with information that could assist in the investigation to contact their nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600-10111. 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“I saw that the standard armed response model was not sufficiently addressing these challenges,” owner Marcel Combrinck said.

“Crime here has become more opportunistic, with perpetrators often on foot and escaping into wooded areas or nearby locations within minutes.”

The founder said he first observed these trends while participating in a neighbourhood watch, which gave him insight into how criminals were exploiting gaps in conventional security systems.

He said traditional armed response remained important but is often focused on protecting the home and homeowners rather than pursuing criminals who can flee quickly.

Backbone’s response has been to adopt a holistic security model that combines infrastructure, rapid response, and community engagement.

Cheers echoed through the streets of Nelson Mandela Bay on Thursday as 290 members of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) rolled into the metro. Children ran alongside military vehicles, waving and shouting in excitement, while elderly residents stood on the pavements, fists lifted in solidarity. The soldiers were deployed to the metro as part of Operation Prosper, a joint security initiative to support the SA Police Service (SAPS) to combat gang violence, extortion and illegal firearms across the country. In the Bay, the focus is predominantly on the gang-ridden northern areas and township crime hotspots. The operation will focus on drug networks, illegal firearms, extortion syndicates and construction mafias. The anticipated arrival of the SANDF was announced as a helicopter flew above the 10111 call centre in Schauderville. Large military vehicles followed suit by roaring into action. As they drove through the streets of Schauderville, Gelvandale and Helenvale, the pavements were lined by residents who raised their fists in celebration, while laughing children ran after the convoy of SANDF and SAPS vehicles. Some youngsters said it was their first time to see soldiers up close. And while some may have been unaware of the real reason for the deployment to their community, those grieving losses due to criminality understood the significance of the occasion. Andre Ludick, 57, of Barcelona, and a woman from Helenvale, 47, whom The Herald has opted not to name, agreed that the arrival of the military gave them hope. “My grandson was buried about two weeks ago; the gangsters shot him in the heart,” Ludick said. “I am very happy to see the army here. “If it takes them coming every day and night to stop these criminals, then we welcome it.” Ludick, who grew up in the northern areas, said it had become increasingly dangerous for children to go to school. The woman from Helenvale, meanwhile, said a family member was allegedly involved in gang-related activities, and they lived in constant fear and battled to sleep at night due to the possible repercussions. “We have been given some hope that we can now finally breathe again, because this violence has taken away our lives and the lives of our children,” she said. “Our children cannot even concentrate in school. “The gangsters have taken away our freedom. “We hear gunshots daily.” Speaking of her relative, she said as a family, they had to pay for some of the things he had allegedly done. “We have been praying for [intervention] for many years.” Newly appointed Eastern Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Vuyisile Ncata gave the marching orders on Thursday. During the joint parade with the men and women in blue, Ncata confirmed that the 290 soldiers were first undergoing orientation. He said it was necessary to familiarise them with the northern areas. “Tomorrow [Friday], when the first mission begins, it is not just about policing, it is about restoration and taking back our communities from the grips of criminals who have held them hostage for far too long.” He said President Cyril Ramaphosa had issued a clear mandate to prevent and combat gangsterism. “This is a deployment of the SANDF serving alongside the SAPS until March 2027, with the full backing and resources of the state,” Ncata said. He said in Nelson Mandela Bay, their focus was on gang violence which had people living in fear in communities such as Gelvandale, Chatty, Kamesh and Algoa Park. He said this extended further to criminal elements operating in Humansdorp and Jeffreys Bay. Once the northern areas had been stabilised, their attention would shift to other parts of the Bay, such as the townships. According to Ncata, their strategy was simple and had a co-ordinated action. “We are not here to simply increase visibility, though you will see it. “We are here to act with precision, to go for the kingpins, the so-called construction mafia who extort our people, and the drug lords who poison our youth and traffic illegal firearms.” Addressing the SANDF members, he said: “You are our force multipliers; your presence is a powerful symbol of our state resolve.” Ncata said the rules of engagement had been made clear during training — the SAPS was in command, while the SANDF would work to support its operations. Reassuring community members that they need not fear having their rights violated, Ncata said Brigadier-General Martin Gopane, director of operations in the joint division of the SANDF, had already briefed and assured parliament that they would respect the right to life and dignity. “The presence of soldiers should inspire confidence, not fear. “All arrests will be effected in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act. “Suspects must be handed over to the SAPS without delay. “And the work of the SAPS does not end with arrest, it ends with a conviction. “Let me take this moment to send a message to those who think they are above the law, your days of operating in the Eastern Cape are over. “Whether you are involved in extortion in Mthatha, murder in Gqeberha, or stock theft in Nqanqarhu, we are coming for you, we know who you are. “To the law abiding citizens of the Eastern Cape, we need your help. “The success of this operation depends on our partnership. “The president asked communities to work closely with us to identify and isolate criminals.” He further called for patience from the community while investigations were being conducted. Colonel Thembinkosi Ntobela, SANDF officer commanding joint tactical headquarters in the Eastern Cape, said Operation Prosper was not just a deployment but rather a commitment to security and protection. He said their objectives were straightforward — to support law enforcement to ensure businesses and communities could function without fear or disruption. “It reflects our constitutional mandate of the SANDF to safeguard SA and support the conditions required for growth and prosperity,” Ntobela said. “In recent times, we have seen challenges that threaten not only public safety but also economic confidence and social cohesion. “Operation Prosper has been initiated to address these challenges decisively and responsibly in close operation with the SAPS and other state partners. “Our members understand the responsibility they carry. “They are trained to act with restraint, respect and integrity at all times. “Security is a shared responsibility, and together we can ensure peace and order prevail.” Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world.

The company installs electric fencing, CCTV systems, gate and garage motors, biometric access control, network infrastructure, as well as flooring and general construction services.

By offering these services in-house, Backbone reduces the need for multiple contractors and limits clients’ exposure to potential security risks.

“If we respond to a break-in, we can fix the affected systems on the spot,” Combrinck said.

“If repairs cannot be completed immediately, we can leave a guard on duty. We do not leave our clients vulnerable for longer than absolutely necessary.”

Christiaan Branders, accused of killing renowned Plettenberg Bay psychologist Jane Luck, 71, and her husband Rolf, 77, made a brief appearance in Plettenberg Bay magistrate’s court on Tuesday morning. Branders told the court he wanted to apply for bail and his matter was postponed to April 10 for the state attorney to come on record and for the bail screening. The 34-year-old was arrested on Wednesday last week after a Mercedes-Benz belonging to the deceased was caught on camera travelling at high speed along the R339 towards Uniondale. According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Christopher Spies, the vehicle was subsequently flagged on a local security WhatsApp group, a chase ensued and Branders was arrested after the vehicle overturned near Uniondale. Police responded to the address linked to the vehicle, where they discovered the bodies of the couple who had sustained multiple injuries. Branders first appeared in Uniondale magistrate’s court on Monday where he was charged with the possession of suspected stolen property and possession of drugs. Killing of people on farms is unacceptable. This [happens] all over South Africa and the government, the police and other law enforcement need to do more to protect people on farms ... I am pained by this incident. The matter was postponed to April 20 for further investigation and for it to be combined with the murder cases to be heard in Plettenberg Bay. The 34-year-old from Wittedrif was remanded. A campaigner against farm killings in South Africa, Petrus Phakamile Sitho from KuGompo City (formerly East London), said after the court hearing that the killing of the elderly couple was unacceptable and that the investigating officer in the matter should oppose bail. “Killing of people on farms is unacceptable. This [happens] all over South Africa and the government, the police and other law enforcement need to do more to protect people on farms. “As someone who has been writing to the president and the police minister [on this issue], I am pained by this incident” Sitho said. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

Beyond private properties, Backbone has extended its model into public spaces, most notably St George’s Park.

Working with the Mandela Bay Development Agency, SAPS, Metro Emergency Services, and Friends of St George’s Park, the company has helped improve safety in the area.

“We have made St George’s Park a place where people take their children again,” he said. “We installed a park-wide panic system and have a guard on duty to look after park users. Many groups have started using the park again.”

The company plans to replicate this model in other public spaces where safety has deteriorated.

Backbone also links crime trends to broader socio-economic factors, including rising poverty and organised criminal activity that exploits vulnerable individuals.

Prison officials confiscated contraband, including drugs, cellphones, cash, routers, digital accessories and sharp objects during a surprise raid at the Pollsmoor Correctional Centre in Cape Town on Saturday evening. The search operation was led by national commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale. He said these items were often smuggled into correctional facilities through visitors, during inmates’ court appearances and hospital visits, and, in some instances, with the involvement of officials. Thobakgale said these search operations are critical to ensuring safety and security for officials and inmates. The presence of contraband in prisons came into sharp focus recently when a telephonic interview was conducted by news channel eNCA with inmate Jermaine Prim at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre. The department described the incident as a serious breach of protocol. TimesLIVE

“With poverty rising in Gqeberha, we have seen a shift toward opportunistic crime,” he said.

“Organised criminals sometimes outsource robberies to the poor and homeless for quick cash.”

To address these issues, Backbone focuses on securing entire suburbs rather than only individual properties.

Residents and businesses around St George’s Park contribute a monthly fee towards community security initiatives.

The company works with human settlements to manage vagrancy, operates a community reporting network for suspicious activity, and deploys guards to patrol areas affected by drug abuse and robberies.

Backbone also works closely with M.E.S. to house individuals willing to leave the streets and offers training and job opportunities for those who complete rehabilitation programmes.

As the man accused of being linked to the murder of an elderly Plettenberg Bay couple made his first appearance in court on Monday, the Bitou community has condemned the heinous crime. Christiaan Branders appeared in the Uniondale Magistrate’s Court in connection with charges of possession of suspected stolen property as well as possession of drugs. The case was postponed to April 20 for further investigation and for the case to be joined with the cases of murder to be heard in Plettenberg Bay. The 34-year-old from Wittedrif was charged in Uniondale and faces murder charges in Plettenberg Bay. His arrest came on the same day that the bodies of Dr Jane Luck, 71, and her husband Rolf, 77, were discovered in their farmhouse in Glen Loerie, The Crags, near Plettenberg Bay on Wednesday last week. Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Christopher Spies said Branders remained in custody. “The police [allegedly] found a small quantity of drugs during the initial arrest, hence a charge of possession of drugs,” Spies said. “Furthermore, the accused is expected to appear in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrates’ court on Tuesday, March 31, for the double murder. “More charges could be added as the investigation unfolds.” Spies said the discovery of the bodies was made after the couple’s Mercedes-Benz vehicle was captured by a licence plate recognition (LPR) camera travelling at high speed along the R339 in the direction of Uniondale. “A co-ordinated effort between police and community safety structures led to the pursuit of the identified vehicle,” Spies said. “The vehicle later overturned near Uniondale, where the driver fled the scene on foot. “He was apprehended shortly thereafter. “The 34-year-old suspect from The Crags is currently being detained in Uniondale.” Bitou mayor Jessica Kamkam has sent condolences to the Luck family and condemned the heinous act. “The people of Plettenberg Bay cannot continue to live in fear, and we cannot allow cases like this to become just another statistic. “I am deeply outraged and saddened by this brutal and senseless double murder in The Crags. “Such acts of violence are unacceptable and strike at the very heart of our community. “My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family. “No family should have to endure such a horrific loss, especially under these circumstances. “Our elderly deserve dignity, care and protection in their later years, and it is deeply distressing that their lives ended in this way,” Kamkam said. Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Group head of operations Otto Olivier said there had been a power outage at the time of the incident. This had affected the Lucks’ electric gate which might have presented the opportunity for the attack. “I think nobody would have even known those two people were deceased or what happened if they didn’t follow the vehicle. “If they didn’t think the vehicle was suspicious, and did a welfare check and reported their suspicions. “I think everybody in the community is tremendously shocked about this. “I think the only little light is that the suspect has been caught so quickly because of all the people working together from security, the police, law enforcement, provincial traffic, the farm and neighbourhood watches.” The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) in the Garden Route also condemned the double murder. “[This] is a tragic example of the growing level of violence and brutality affecting rural communities, which is increasingly spilling over into the Western Cape. “Helpless elderly people being attacked in their own homes raises serious concerns about the safety of Garden Route residents,” the party said in a statement. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

Intelligence gathered on the ground is shared with the SAPS, and the company assists with manpower during crime prevention operations.

“We are currently installing panic buttons so the public can feel safe enough to use these spaces again,” Combrinck said.

“Security is not just about responding to alarms, it is about people feeling safe enough to live their lives,” he added.

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