Gauteng government defends the legality of traffic wardens programme

By Thapelo Molefe

The Gauteng Provincial Government has strongly defended the legitimacy of the Gauteng Traffic Wardens (GTWs), rejecting recent claims that the crime prevention unit operates unlawfully.

The provincial administration says the GTWs are a legitimate and lawful initiative, established in line with the Constitution and properly designated as peace officers under national law.

This follows comments made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, during testimony before the ad hoc parliamentary inquiry into police corruption.

Mkhwanazi questioned the legality of the wardens, saying that while he thought Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s intentions were “good”, the wardens were “illegal”. Mkhwanazi said he raised the issue at the police’s board of commissioners.

In a statement released on Thursday, the provincial government said it would not engage in “litigating sweeping statements” but “categorically dismisses the allegation that the Gauteng Traffic Wardens are an illegal entity”.

According to the Gauteng government spokesperson Elijah