Over 9,000 Amapanyaza gazetted as peace officers after legal uncertainty

By Thapelo Molefe

More than 9,000 Gauteng crime prevention wardens, commonly known as Amapanyaza, have officially been declared peace officers, marking a decisive turn in a process that had been clouded by legal uncertainty since a damning Public Protector report last year.

The declaration was announced on Friday by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi, alongside Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, following the publication of the notice in the Government Gazette.

Kubayi said the move gives legal force to the continued deployment of the wardens after the Public Protector found in October 2025 that their establishment, appointment and deployment were not underpinned by an appropriate legislative framework. 

The investigation stemmed from a complaint lodged in September 2023 by accountability activist Paul Hoffman.

“The Public Protector directed that remedial action be taken to ensure that any continued utilisation of these officials is done in a