Gauteng community safety committee wants better protection for crime wardens

JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng’s portfolio committee on community safety wants better protection and equipment for the province’s crime prevention wardens after five of them were shot during a routine patrol.

On Sunday morning, five wardens sustained gunshot wounds after being attacked by a group of men in Daveyton, east of Johannesburg.

While all the wardens survived, the incident has sparked questions over their training and the fact that they don’t have licences to handle firearms.

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Committee chairperson Bandile Masuku said the incident had raised urgent questions about the level of training, equipment, and support provided to wardens, especially when facing heavily armed criminals.

"As Gauteng continues to grapple with violent crime, it is imperative that all law enforcement personnel are properly equipped and safeguarded. The committee extends its well wishes to the injured wardens a full speedy recovery and further calls on law enforcement to ensure those responsible for this crime are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice."