After December’s festivities, the costs of overlooked security become staggering.

(Security risk assessment holiday). Picture this: a break-in starts with a broken door. As the rain pours down, a window shatters, and chaos ensues. One crime turns into three separate invasions. The scene? The property was stripped bare; copper wires were gone, fridges leaked, and there was spoiled food everywhere. It’s chaos.
Sound familiar? # Security Risk Assessment

It should. Every holiday season in South Africa plays out like a predictable script, yet many remain blissfully unprepared. Businesses reopen to missing computers, and bank accounts bleed from unnoticed theft. The real question isn’t if crime will strike, but when and how severe the fallout will be.

The reality is that security is a continuous process.

A risk assessment isn’t a one-time checklist; it’s a living strategy that evolves. Dust off that report. Check it twice. Gaps you missed could cost you more than you think. Are you prepared to transition from reaction to prevention? Let’s rethink your approach to crime and protection before disaster writes your story too.

We recently conducted an independent security risk assessment for a residential estate in Sandton, identifying risks that standard assessments often overlook. This approach enables practical measures to be recommended, improving the overall safety and security of the property.

If you would like to learn more about our assessments or have specific topics you would like us to cover, please email your suggestions to andre@alwinco.co.za. We will create and publish articles tailored to your interests on our website.

After the December holidays, the saying that “wisdom comes after disaster” feels especially relevant.

It’s a pattern we see every December: people return home, businesses reopen, and reality sets in.
In South Africa, this cycle has been ongoing for years. It makes me wonder if this is a broader South African phenomenon, where the holiday spirit takes over, and critical matters, like security, become an afterthought. Then, once the holidays are over, people return to find the consequences waiting for them. For some, it’s the realization that crime has occurred while they were away. Businesses seem particularly vulnerable during this period, with reports of increased criminal activity. Even at home, there’s often some incident, small or large, that reminds us how much was overlooked during the festive season.

A property was broken into, and it began with a single act: a broken door.

Then, the rains came, followed by more damage: a broken window, a slightly dislodged door taken off completely, and people walking in to take whatever they wanted. At one site I visited myself, the evidence was clear. There were three separate instances (three different groups), each at different times, days apart. You could even see it in the dust imprints on the floor, marking the presence of different individuals or groups.

The first group broke in and took what they wanted. Then, after a casual conversation elsewhere, word must have spread, and a second group arrived because the property was still left open. What I can’t wrap my head around is why the alarm system failed to do its job. Why didn’t the alarm activate? And as of now, there’s been no follow-up from the client. The crime remains unresolved, leaving me to question how such an oversight could have occurred.

The real issue now isn’t just the equipment that was stolen.

What weighs heavier is the loss of life: one or two people who tragically lost their lives this December. Yet, this hasn’t been widely reported in the news. Instead, the focus has been on traffic, crowded beaches, and other surface-level stories, while the crimes that truly affect people go underreported. Now, the aftermath is about more than replacing stolen items. It’s about rebuilding and fixing the damage, much of which worsened during the second wave of crime. The second round of crime often causes more destruction than the first, leaving a bigger mess to clean up.

One case that stands out involved two distinct groups.

The first broke in and took what they wanted, like the televisions, tables, bedspreads, cushions, and anything else of value. Then, the second group came along, likely drawn to the already compromised property. They added to the damage and chaos, leaving behind a scene of complete disarray. And then, to make matters worse, they stripped every single piece of copper from the house. Imagine the aftermath: with the power out, everything in the fridge spoiled, and water leaking everywhere from the melted ice and damaged connections.

It’s an absolute mess.
This is why my heading is titled “Wisdom Comes After Disaster in South Africa.” People here in South Africa don’t seem to think about crime until it happens to them. Despite living in a country where crime is a constant topic, where it’s highlighted in the news and the reports are often horrifying, people still seem to brush it aside.

It’s baffling. The reality is right there, but the urgency to take precautions just isn’t there until the damage is already done.

And by then, it’s too late. There are always a few people whose lives are forever changed after being caught up in crime. Some have been injured, and their mindset about safety and security has shifted permanently. It’s almost unimaginable, but this is the reality in South Africa. For example, families who go on holiday, leaving their teenage daughter behind because she didn’t want to join them and was left to look after the dogs—one can only imagine the horrors that can unfold in such situations. That family is likely spending the entire year trying to pick up the pieces, physically and emotionally.

I often wonder how people think (or fail to think) when it comes to crime and security.

The lack of foresight is staggering, especially during the holiday season when the risks are at their highest. And yet, the mindset around securing homes and businesses remains inconsistent, even chaotic. Some companies are only discovering now that their laptops, computers, and entire databases were stolen weeks ago. They have no idea when it happened, only that it did. This reactive approach to security isn’t just dangerous; it’s costly, both financially and emotionally.

It’s as if we’re still struggling to grasp the reality of living in a high-crime environment.
According to the report, nothing was broken: no doors, no windows, no floors. This raises the obvious question: Was it an inside job? We don’t know for sure. All we know is that everything was stolen, yet there’s no sign of forced entry. Hopefully, the investigation will shed some light, but what’s already clear is that the company’s security measures were subpar.

In another incident,

A warehouse at a different company was systematically cleared out from the back, with items being removed daily.
Then there’s the issue of personal security. Bank cards were stolen, misplaced, or simply left out in the open during the holidays. Some people didn’t protect their cards properly, and others lost track of them entirely. Whether through theft, carelessness, or a lack of awareness, the result is the same: financial loss. The most troubling part? Many don’t even know how it happened or when the separation from their bank cards occurred. Some money was taken from the accounts, not a significant amount at first, around a thousand. But what’s concerning is that this wasn’t an isolated incident. Three or four families reported similar experiences, where small amounts were withdrawn over time. It’s a pattern: small sums taken during the night, unnoticed until morning, when the victims finally stop the cards.

But the real questions remain unanswered.

Who stole the card? Where is it now? And most importantly, how did they get the PIN?
On that note, here’s a question for you, the reader: How often do you change your bank PIN in a year? For many, the answer is probably never. I know people who haven’t changed their PIN in years. It’s a simple step, yet so often overlooked. As the holidays end and routines resume, perhaps this is the time to rethink how we protect ourselves, starting with the basics like changing PINs regularly. Prevention is always better than dealing with the fallout.

Here’s some solid advice:

Change your bank PIN at least three times a year; once a month is even better. Update the PINs on all your cards and accounts regularly. Why? Because every time you enter your PIN, whether at an ATM or in a shop, someone might be watching. It could be a camera, a passerby, or even the person next to you in line. This isn’t just about paranoia; it’s about prevention. After the holiday season, when risks are heightened, it’s a practical step to take. The bigger issue, though, is how people continue to underestimate crime in South Africa, especially during the holidays. Many seem to act as if crime doesn’t exist, and that mindset leaves them at risk.

But crime is real, and ignoring it doesn’t make it go away.

This is why revisiting your risk assessment report is essential. Read it again, carefully. In fact, read it three times if necessary, and don’t just assume that everything has been done. Verify it. Tick off each item only after confirming it’s truly in place. Too often, people think they’ve covered their bases when, in reality, they’ve left critical gaps. In matters of security, assumptions are dangerous; only action counts. You’re absolutely right.

It’s crucial to ensure your risk assessment is not just “in place” but actively relevant and functional. Its sole purpose is to guide you in addressing security risks, so make sure you’ve followed through on all its recommendations. If you’re unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to reach out to your assessor for advice; they’re there to help. Now, as we find ourselves in 2025, it’s a good time to assess your security risk assessment report’s age and approach. If your current report is older than two or three years, it’s time to consider transitioning to a 30/70 risk assessment.

Here’s the distinction:

• For households, the approach remains softer.
• For businesses, the balance shifts toward robustness. With stronger systems in place, the 30% still revisits existing risks, but the 70% focuses on how communication, management, and processes and how people think. And yes, even for homes, there should be documentation. Your household risk assessment might seem less formal, but it’s still critical to have a plan in place. Review it, update it, and adapt it to modern risks. Crime doesn’t stay static, and neither should your approach to security.

We need to grasp this simple truth: everyone in South Africa needs to understand this fundamental point.

I’ll reiterate the obvious: we are unable to read minds. Your partner, your children, your employees—they can’t read your mind, especially when it comes to security. You cannot assume that they know what to do in every situation. This is why everything must be written down: every plan, every procedure, and every discussion about security. For your home, you need a plan. If a door breaks, what’s the next step? Where do you hide your valuables if you’re leaving for a holiday this December? These aren’t just theoretical questions; they need clear, documented answers.

Security isn’t just a one-time thing; it’s something you should assess over the years.

Don’t let your security practices become outdated or reactive. Start looking at your security now, make necessary adjustments, and ensure everyone involved knows the plan. Documentation and preparation are key. It’s a hard truth, but one that needs to be faced. This December has solidified something for me: South Africans, whether they run large farms, small businesses, homes, or even hospitals, often have no real understanding of how to secure their property. It’s heartbreaking to see how widespread this lack of awareness is, especially when it comes to something as crucial as safety and security.

The reality is, many are still reactive rather than proactive.

They don’t take the necessary steps to protect themselves until something goes wrong. This mindset has to change. It’s not just about having security systems in place; it’s about understanding the risks and developing solid, informed plans to mitigate them. If we are going to reduce crime and increase safety, every single individual, business, and organization needs to step up and invest time, effort, and resources into securing their property properly with the help of an independent security risk assessment. It’s not optional—it’s essential.

Article written by Andre Mundell, independent security risk assessor at Alwinco. Security risk assessment Holiday. # Security Risk Assessment East London

Our security risk assessment projects are focused on the Gauteng Region, which includes Sunny Side, Bedfordview, Midrand, and Rivonia. Additionally, we cover Bloemfontein, Chatsworth, and Cape Town.

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