Bouncers’ interaction with patrons in five Durban nightclubs: effectiveness and patrons’ perceptions of bouncers.

Abstract

The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) is responsible for regulating and monitoring the private security sector. This was established in terms of section 2 of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act of 2002. The mandates and principles originating from this Act drove the regulations that currently guide the private security industry. Nightclubs in South Africa have relied heavily on private security companies to protect their property and ensure the safety of patrons during busy nights. However, as far back as 2003, Hobbs, Hadfield, Lister and Winlow (2003) stated that nightclubs and the nighttime economy generally were left unregulated with many activities revolving around a sea of alcohol. Because there is a plethora of evidence that links alcohol and violence, it is important to understand the relationship between bouncers and patrons, as well as the role and competence of bouncers in this relationship, from a scholarly perspective. Bouncers are key players in maintaining safety and security at nightclubs, thus this study investigated the relationship between bouncers and patrons and their respective perspectives on the extent of violence and aggression that occur in nightclubs as places of entertainment where alcohol is sold. The study identified 30 participants by utilising a non-probability sampling method. Of the 30 participants, 10 bouncers were sampled using the purposive sampling technique. Nine bouncers were male and one was female. Semi-structured interviews were utilised to elicit the views of bouncers. Moreover, 20 undergraduate students who had attended any one of the five nightclubs under study were sampled using the convenience sampling technique. Focus group interviews were conducted with undergraduate students at the Howard campus, University of Kwa Zulu -Natal. In this process, males and females were interviewed separately. The study revealed that bouncers generally responded positively regarding their relationship with patrons. However, some concluded that their attitude and behaviour depended on patrons’ behaviour. Bouncers indicated that they were compelled to deal with patrons in a physical manner at least once. Moreover, most of the bouncers had not received relevant security training and they were not in possession of PSIRA cards as recommended by PSIRA. Female patrons generally responded that bouncers conducted their duties correctly and effectively, which contradicted the views of male patrons. One male patron noted that the manner in which bouncers did their job depended on the environment. Neither the male nor the female participants were aware of PSIRA and its rules and regulations that bouncers should abide by. The majority thought that bouncers were only required to be big and physically fit. Some male patrons could recall positive experiences with bouncers, but the majority recalled negative experiences.