By Palesa Nguqu
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced that the province’s Amapanyaza traffic wardens will be phased out in their current form and retrained to gain the same legal standing as Gauteng Traffic Police officers.
Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Lesufi said the move is part of his administration’s broader effort to strengthen the capacity of traffic wardens and enhance their contribution to community safety.
He said that the provincial government has formally requested the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services to designate the Crime Prevention Wardens as peace officers.
Gauteng currently employs 8,800 of these wardens.
Over the next 36 months, wardens will be removed from their posts in groups and sent for training at accredited traffic colleges in a phased approach.
Lesufi further confirmed that around 100 wardens will undergo specialised training in partnership with the Border Management Authority (BMA) to assist with border control operations ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg next month.
“To ensure a smooth and fair transition, the Department of Community Safety has been conducting assessments to identify which wardens meet the criteria for officer training,” Lesufi said.
He added that several government entities have expressed interest in absorbing wardens who may not qualify for the traffic officer route.
“We are determined to make sure that no one is left behind as we move forward with this crucial process,” he said.
“Those who qualify will enrol in the NQF Level 4 Traffic Officer Course, offered in partnership with 13 accredited traffic colleges.”
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) will facilitate the training in phases, after which successful candidates will be registered through the SASSETA system.
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