Absorption of Gauteng crime wardens as traffic officers won't add to budget – Lesufi

The Gauteng government said it expects minimal changes to its budget as it prepares to hire thousands of new traffic officers.

On Wednesday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced the crime warden’s programme would be disbanded over the next 36 months, with the 8,800 beneficiaries set to undergo training as provincial traffic police officers.

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The wardens are currently employed on a temporary basis by the Gauteng government and are paid a monthly stipend.

However, traffic police officers are employed permanently by the provincial government on a higher salary scale with added benefits.

"The fortunate part is that when we established the wardens, the intention was to absorb them permanently and to pay them a salary after their training," said Lesufi.

"The budget remains the way we budgeted for, so even if they absorb them in the new role, it will not need additional budget because the cap of their salaries has been long determined and approved."

Gauteng’s chief of traffic police, Thami Mayisela, said the training takes a year, with the candidates expected to show proficiency in the National Road Traffic Act, law enforcement ethics and Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offence (AARTO), among others.

Mayisela said the department had the space to absorb all the candidates.

"Within traffic itself, we have different specialised units and regional offices - some will be in regional offices, some will be in specialised units, doing specialised law enforcement, including the air wing. So, we will have sufficient space, including assisting the ill-equipped local municipalities, local authorities and other organs of state that might need our assistance."