A report by the Public Protector shows that AmaPanyaza were used unlawfully

The Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens, also known as AmaPanyaza, were installed unlawfully, according to a report published by Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka.

Moments after Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi declared on Wednesday that the wardens would be dissolved and trained to become provincial traffic officers, Gcaleka's report was released.

Earlier, at a Johannesburg media briefing, Lesufi made the announcement.

The decision follows ongoing confusion around the wardens’ legitimacy and the scope of their powers, which first emerged in 2023.

However, Lesufi said the disbandment would not happen immediately.

“The rollout will be done in phases,” he said.

In her report, Gcaleka said within 30 days, the Minister of Police must take appropriate steps and work collaboratively with the Gauteng Provincial Government by assisting and supporting them to ensure that they remain within the law while retaining the wardens as traffic officers.

She also directed the MEC for Gauteng Department of Community Safety to put appropriate measures in place to prevent any further delays in the process of appointing and retaining the wardens as traffic officers, this must also be done within 30 days.

Meanwhile, the head of the Gauteng Department of Community Safety has 60 days to ensure that the department's traffic officers receive adequate education and training. This training should ideally be conducted by legal personnel to enhance the officers' capacity, enabling them to execute their duties efficiently and competently.

During the briefing, Lesufi maintained that the initiative had been designed to strengthen and support the police, allowing them to focus on serious crimes, while the wardens enhanced visible policing and built positive, daily interactions with communities - despite ongoing legal criticism.

This development follows comments made two weeks ago by KZN provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during his testimony before Parliament’s ad-hoc committee. 

He said that he had previously raised the issue of the wardens’ legality during a meeting of the police board of commissioners.

Mkhwanazi said while Lesufi had good intentions, AmaPanyaza should not, by law, exist.

Lesufi responded to the criticism.

“The rollout of traffic wardens has followed a meticulous, legally compliant sequence to ensure professionalism and accountability.”

He said the legal classification gave the wardens the same legal standing as Gauteng traffic officers pending the completion of their training.

“As a support unit, the Gauteng traffic wardens are designed to strengthen the efforts of existing law enforcement authorities,” Lesufi said.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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