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 lawful manner,” Kubayi said.
“While we were unable to meet the initial 30-day deadline, extensive intergovernmental work has now ensured compliance with the law.”
She said government had agreed that Section 3A(1B) of the National Road Traffic Act provides the appropriate framework for traffic wardens, while Section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Act empowers the Minister of Justice to declare categories of persons as peace officers, define their powers and regulate accountability.
Following consultations between the justice, police and Gauteng provincial authorities, Kubayi confirmed that over 9,000 wardens would now be declared peace officers within the province.
Their powers will be limited to specific offences, jurisdictions and duties as set out in the Gazette.
Cachalia described the declaration as a “significant milestone” that would strengthen law enforcement capacity and coordination within the justice and crime prevention cluster.
“The rule of law allows for innovative responses to public needs,” Cachalia said.
“These wardens have undergone the necessary training and assessment and can now support law enforcement efforts while respecting human rights, due process and the rule of law.”
He said the newly designated peace officers would act as a force multiplier for the South African Police Service, particularly in road safety, traffic-related offences and crime prevention support in high pressure environments.
Lesufi, on the other hand, said the declaration sent a clear message to criminals that Gauteng was mobilising every available resource to fight crime.
He defended the controversial wardens programme, saying it was part of a broader package of support provided by the province to the SAPS.
Lesufi said Gauteng had donated 250 police vehicles, installed more than 13,000 CCTV cameras, procured three helicopters, deployed drones and introduced a panic button system used by about 900,000 residents.
“Last year alone, for the first time, our crime statistics went down by almost nine percent,” Lesufi said.
“This is a victory for the rule of law and integrated crime fighting.”
Kubayi confirmed that the wardens are undergoing a second phase of training and stressed that any peace officer acting without a valid certificate of appointment would have no legal authority.
Government has submitted a compliance report and an apology to the Public Protector for delays in implementing the remedial action.
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