Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens recognised as peace officers

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The Gauteng provincial government says it welcomes the announcement to grant Crime Prevention Wardens, peace officer status.

In June 2023, the provincial government requested the minister of justice and correctional services, Ronald Lamola, to designate the Crime Prevention Wardens(CPW) as peace officers, as outlined in section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977.

In a statement issued, the department of justice and correctional service said under section 334(1)(a), the minister has the authority to confer peace officer status to any person by their office, to exercise power under the criminal procedure act, any offence, or any designated class of offences.

“After conducting a thorough analysis of the applicable legal frameworks, it was determined that for the Gauteng CPW to exercise peace officer powers, they must assume the same legal status as Gauteng Provincial traffic officers.

“Provincial traffic officers currently carry out their duties within the ambit of their peace officer designation, supported by the necessary legal framework.

“We welcome this announcement that finally clarifies the uncertainty over the status of the CPW. This announcement affirms what we have said all along, that the CPW’s are a legal, well-equipped provincial law enforcement body that collaborates with other law enforcement organizations in the province,” Premier Lesufi said.

Meanwhile, ActionSA Gauteng Provincial Chairperson, Funzi Ngobeni has called for the disbandment of the CPW saying the announcement is another desperate attempt by the ANC to justify CPW’s presence within the communities despite their incompetence.

“This is not only reckless but also a complete disregard for the safety of not only the wardens but also the residents of Gauteng, as inadequately trained individuals have been unlawfully authorised to protect communities.

“An accumulation of evidence has all pointed to the entire programme being an electioneering tool used by the Premier and ruling government to secure votes ahead of the upcoming elections.

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“It was reported just last week that twenty-two brand new BMWs had been crashed by the wardens since May, a month after the scheme’s inception.

“Furthermore, SAPS Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Elias Mawela, has recently declared that the wardens had no prerogative to fulfil tasks assigned to the police,” he stated.

Ngobeni added that they have already written to the SIU to investigate this scheme.

He continued; “We strongly believe that by establishing and running this illegal scheme, the premier of Gauteng committed serious malpractice or maladministration in connection with the administration of state institutions, state assets, and public money.”