Johannesburg – Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says he is relieved that the province’s Crime Prevention Wardens, popularly known as Amapanyaza, have been officially declared peace officers.
This was announced by Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi during a joint media briefing on Friday, 30 January 2026, with Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia and Gauteng Premier Lesufi.
The move follows findings last year by the Public Protector that the establishment, appointment, and deployment of these wardens were not underpinned by an appropriate legislative framework.
As a result, the Office of the Premier of Gauteng requested the government to declare wardens as Peace Officers in terms of Section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977.
“Government has worked collaboratively across spheres to address the legal deficiencies identified and to align the process with the applicable legislative framework. In this regard, over 9 000 wardens will be declared Peace Officers,” said Minister Kubayi.
She said the wardens will receive specialised and accredited training, and then be absorbed by the Community Safety Department in Gauteng.
“Government… confirms that training is a critical requirement in the process of declaring any category of persons as Peace Officers,” said Minister Kubayi.
“Such training must attest to the competency of individuals to exercise powers contemplated in section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977, and is considered by the Minister of Police when assessing requests for declaration.”
The wardens will now be peace officers; law enforcement officials responsible for maintaining public order, enforcing laws, and ensuring community safety.
This declaration process is therefore a statutory responsibility of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development, exercised in consultation with the Ministry of Police and in accordance with the law.
In a statement the government said it “wishes to inform the public and, most importantly, those individuals who have been affected by this uncertainty, that the remedial measures directed by the Public Protector have been acted upon and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development has Gazetted and declared the Gauteng traffic wardens as Peace Officers, and therefore making it lawful to operate”.
Acknowledging how the wardens were created in response to rampant crime in Gauteng, Acting police minister, Professor Cachalia, said: “We are here to implement the brainchild of Premier Panyaza Lesufi.”
Professor Cachalia added: “These Peace officers will play a critical role in supporting the criminal justice system. They will serve as a force multiplier for the SAPS by assisting with law enforcement functions within their designated powers.
“Their role enhances visibility, improves response capacity, and contributes to the prevention and detection of crime, particularly in high-pressure environments such as our road networks.”
Premier Lesufi said he was relieved that the wardens have been officially declared peace officers, noting that Gauteng remains at the epicentre of crime.
