The Gauteng Provincial Government has announced a major restructuring of the Gauteng Traffic Wardens (GTW) Programme aimed at strengthening law enforcement capacity, improving infrastructure protection and expanding youth employment opportunities.
The revised model will see the programme repositioned into a hybrid, multi-stream structure designed to ensure compliance with legislation and align with national training standards.
Addressing wardens at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Sunday, June 21, Premier Panyaza Lesufi outlined the future operating model of the service.
“The first stream will focus on traffic law enforcement and road safety compliance, strengthening provincial traffic policing capacity and improving road safety outcomes. The second stream will focus on visible policing, crime prevention and integrated operations with the South African Police Service (SAPS), supporting efforts to combat crime in identified hotspot areas and improve community safety.”
He added that a third stream would focus on infrastructure and state asset protection.
“The third stream will provide security and infrastructure protection services, including access control, CCTV monitoring, asset protection and rapid response capabilities across provincial government facilities.”
Lesufi said the restructuring forms part of efforts to build a more professional and integrated provincial safety capability, while acknowledging the role wardens have already played in improving visibility and supporting crime prevention initiatives.
The Premier also confirmed that designated wardens appointed as Peace Officers would receive expanded legal authority under applicable legislation.
“In terms of the applicable proclamation and provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act, designated Gauteng Traffic Wardens appointed as Peace Officers will be empowered to exercise specific law enforcement functions, including arresting offenders without a warrant in circumstances prescribed by law, executing warrants of arrest, issuing written notices and performing other duties authorised under relevant legislation.”
Pending full certification, wardens will continue to support government priorities including school safety, visible policing, and protection of state infrastructure.
Lesufi also announced that the programme will incorporate new technological capacity and centralised coordination systems.
“The future model will also incorporate e-policing capabilities through the monitoring of CCTV and electronic security systems and will support the establishment of the Provincial Integrated Command Centre planned for the 2027/28 financial year.”
Training will form a key part of the transition, with wardens set to undergo a structured programme later this year.
“To support this transition, Gauteng Traffic Wardens will undergo an intensive three-month training programme at the Provincial Traffic College from October 5 to December 20, combining theoretical and practical instruction aligned to approved national curricula.”
Lesufi said the reforms were intended to build a sustainable and accountable provincial safety service.
At the same time, he warned that misconduct within the ranks would not be tolerated, confirming that hundreds of dismissals had already taken place since the programme’s inception.
“We cannot build a force that fights crime while tolerating criminal behaviour within its own ranks. We cannot claim to protect women and vulnerable members of society while allowing conduct that promotes gender-based violence or harms those we are meant to serve,” warned Lesufi.
Saturday Star Reporter
iol.co.za
