This is the largest branch and is responsible for the protection of Council employees and property using a staff exceeding 240. The section operates rapid response teams, static guards and mobile escort teams. The section is responsible for protecting Council cash in transit and operates site inspection teams to inspect contract guards on Council sites. The branch is responsible for preventing illegal squatting on Council property, monitoring of informal settlements and identification of land that may be used for low cost housing which then becomes a project of the Housing Strategy Group while it is developed. The current policy is to prevent the erection of any further illegal structures.
Current law permits the destruction and removal of any structure illegally erected.
The provision of training and retraining is part of the function of this section. Training in both security and dog handling is given. The Durban Commando is the only Municipal Commando in South AFrica and is governed by Military Discipline Code. Its members are Council employee volunteers and total around 200 members. The branch is very professional and the training is fully paid for and in some cases aided by the SA NAtional Defence Force.