Despite crime prevention wardens disbandment, Lesufi won't leave them hanging

The Gauteng government has moved to allay fears that its crime prevention wardens will be unemployed as the province proceeds with plans to disband the unit.

Over the next 36 months, the provincial government has committed to retraining the wardens to become fully qualified traffic police officers.

The announcement was made during a media briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: Lesufi insists Crime Prevention Wardens were not just an election campaign

The Gauteng crime prevention warden programme initially began as an initiative to provide temporary work opportunities for formerly unemployed young people. Currently, approximately 8,800 people are employed by the Gauteng government as wardens.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi stated that wardens who fail or do not qualify for the traffic police training will not be dismissed but will be redeployed to other government departments to provide security services.

"I will never allow them to be retrenched or unemployed. They have put their lives on the line to protect me and you," the premier said.

Despite the assurance, opposition parties in Gauteng have criticised this latest move, calling it a waste of taxpayers' money.