Gauteng's crime prevention wardens to be reassigned and retrained as traffic officers

The Gauteng government has announced it will be disbanding the Crime Prevention Wardens programme to allow members to undergo training to become provincial traffic officers.

Informally known as AmaPanyaza, the wardens were introduced in 2023 to much controversy.

Police experts raised concerns about their lack of training and whether they were adequately equipped to tackle crime.

Former justice minister, Ronald Lamola, designated them as peace officers last year, but questions over the unit’s legitimacy remained.

At a media briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the disbandment of the wardens would be done in phases and not immediately.

"Those who can’t qualify for this training will be assigned to various municipalities for by-law enforcement and to provide security services in various government departments after acquiring the necessary training. We do so because we really believe what they are doing is needed in our communities. We just have to eliminate areas of deep concern, which are their training, mandate and qualifications."