Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced a major restructuring of the Gauteng Traffic Wardens programme, saying the new model will strengthen crime prevention, traffic enforcement, infrastructure protection and employment opportunities for young people.
The wardens, popularly known in communities as Ama-Panyaza, will be reorganised into a single Gauteng Traffic Wardens Corps operating through three integrated streams.
Addressing thousands of wardens at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Sunday, June 21, Premier Lesufi said the programme would be aligned with legislation, national training standards and the provinceโs long-term safety needs.
The first stream will focus on traffic law enforcement and road safety compliance, with the aim of improving traffic policing capacity and road safety outcomes across Gauteng.
The second stream will focus on visible policing, crime prevention and joint operations with the South African Police Service (SAPS). This stream is expected to support crime-fighting efforts in identified hotspot areas and improve safety in communities.
The third stream will focus on security and infrastructure protection. Wardens will assist with access control, CCTV monitoring, asset protection and rapid-response services at provincial government facilities.
Lesufi thanked the wardens for their role in fighting crime and contributing to improved safety in Gauteng. He said their work had helped strengthen law-enforcement visibility in communities and supported government crime-prevention initiatives.
Under the new model, selected wardens appointed as Peace Officers will be empowered to carry out specific duties allowed under the Criminal Procedure Act. These may include arresting offenders without a warrant in legally prescribed circumstances, executing warrants of arrest and issuing written notices.
While the programme moves towards full certification, Ama-Panyaza will continue to support school safety programmes, patrols in communities and CBDs, road safety campaigns, event security operations and the protection of government facilities.
The province also plans to introduce e-policing capabilities through CCTV and electronic security monitoring. This will support the planned Provincial Integrated Command Centre, expected to be established during the 2027/28 financial year.
To prepare wardens for the new system, they will undergo an intensive three-month training programme at the Provincial Traffic College from 5 October to 20 December 2026. The training will include both theory and practical work based on approved national curricula.
However, Lesufi warned that misconduct would not be tolerated. He said 320 wardens had already been dismissed through disciplinary processes for offences including corruption, absenteeism, criminal conduct and behaviour that damaged the integrity of the service.
โWe cannot build a force that fights crime while tolerating criminal behaviour within its own ranks,โ Lesufi said.
The Gauteng Provincial Government said the restructuring is aimed at building a professional, accountable and integrated provincial safety service that protects communities, safeguards public assets and creates sustainable opportunities for young people.
