Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced a major restructuring of the province’s crime-prevention unit, formerly known as “amapanyaza,” to integrate traffic wardens into a formal, three-stream provincial safety service. The initiative, which includes traffic officers, traffic wardens, and security officers, aims to align the corps with national training standards and legislative requirements following the dismissal of 320 members for corruption.
The restructuring follows the dismissal of at least 320 members of the peace warden unit, with others currently facing disciplinary processes for alleged misconduct, including behavior linked to gender-based violence.
Why the restructuring is taking place
The overhaul is designed to professionalize the unit and address operational gaps in public safety. According to Premier Lesufi, the new model aims to create a sustainable, accountable provincial safety service capable of protecting community members and public assets. The transition requires wardens to undergo intensive training at the provincial traffic college, where they will receive instruction based on approved national curricula to ensure they are equipped for their new duties.
The political response to the reform
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng has publicly welcomed the restructuring. Provincial spokesperson Dumisani Baleni stated that the move is timely given the recent increase in vandalism targeting government facilities. The party has consistently advocated for utilizing public resources to reduce state reliance on expensive private tenders, and Baleni noted that this reform aligns with the goal of creating sustainable employment for the youth of Gauteng.
This restructuring represents a pivot from an ad-hoc crime-prevention force toward a standardized, institutionalized provincial body. By shifting from local “amapanyaza” units to a three-stream model aligned with national curricula, the government is attempting to mitigate legal and operational risks. The success of this transition likely hinges on the province’s ability to maintain the new, strict disciplinary standards while scaling up training capacity at the provincial traffic college.
What happens next for the corps
The unit is expected to transition into a hybrid multi-stream model comprising traffic officers, traffic wardens, and security officers. As the training program commences at the provincial traffic college, the province will likely continue to monitor the integrity of the force. Premier Lesufi indicated that internal conduct will remain under scrutiny, as the department seeks to eliminate criminal behavior within its ranks to better serve vulnerable members of society.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three streams of the new safety service?
The restructured corps will consist of traffic officers, traffic wardens, and security officers.
Why were members of the unit dismissed?
Premier Lesufi reported that at least 320 members were dismissed due to corruption, while others are currently facing disciplinary action for various forms of misconduct.
What training will the wardens receive?
Wardens will undergo an intensive program at the provincial traffic college that combines theoretical and practical instruction aligned with approved national curricula.
How do you think the integration of these three streams will impact the daily safety of residents in Gauteng?
