Family of crime warden voices concerns over insufficient equipment for peace officers

JOHANNESBURG - The family of one of the Gauteng crime prevention wardens critically injured during a shooting has complained about the peace officers not having adequate equipment to safeguard themselves from criminals.

On Sunday morning, five wardens were shot by a group of unknown gunmen during a routine patrol in Daveyton, east of Johannesburg.

On Monday, the political leadership of Gauteng’s government visited the injured wardens at the Alberton Netcare Hospital.

Forty-year-old Lungani Mtshali was one of thousands of previously unemployed people hired as a Gauteng crime prevention warden.

With his salary, Lungani is able to support his family back in KwaZulu-Natal.

His younger brotherQiniso Mtshali, said they are worried he may not be able to do that anymore.

 “The fear has always been there because the job they are doing is very dangerous. You cannot chase criminals while you are unarmed and don’t have anything to protect yourself.”

The Gauteng government said the wardens currently don’t have the requisite training to handle firearms.