Fight against crime goes into higher gear

The Tshwane metro police have welcomed the recent introduction of the provincial crime prevention wardens.

Metro police acting chief Basil Nkhwashu said at the recent graduation of the first cohort of wardens in Soshanguve that the wardens would relieve some of the burden of fighting crime on the municipality.

The wardens will focus on illegal land occupation and lawlessness, damage to state infrastructure and vandalism, gender-based violence and femicide, common crimes and the so-called “construction mafia”.

The Gauteng government has spent R173-million on recruiting the 6 000 wardens and buying them the equipment they would use such as drones, vehicles and panic buttons.

For now, the wardens would only operate in areas such as Mamelodi and Soshanguve.

“They will be our eyes and ears. Much of our operations would be led by them from the communities,” said Nkhwashu as he welcomed the wardens during their pass-out parade at Giant Stadium in Soshanguve on April 30.

Nkwashu said the wardens would provide a great deal of support in “communities riddled with crime”.

On Monday, 3 200 wardens began patrolling the streets while the second cohort is scheduled to complete their training at the end of May.

[WATCH]: Premier @Lesufi assures Gauteng residents of a good night’s sleep as the Crime Prevention Wardens are given the marching orders to patrol the streets of Gauteng as from Monday, 1 May 2023. @GP_CommSafety #WarOnCrime #BootsOnTheGround pic.twitter.com/dUpwVe5vVE

— Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) April 30, 2023

The wardens were recruited from unemployed youths five months ago and will be deployed in various hotspot areas such as townships, informal settlements and hostels.

During their recruitment drive, 21 000 applications were received from across Gauteng, however 6 000 were only employed.

Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the wardens had undergone physically intensive training over the last three months.

“These wardens will supplement all the police work and force in Gauteng with an addition of 200 motor vehicles, whilst about 70 vehicles served the same purpose as police vans.

“Gone are the days when you phone a police station for assistance and protection and the police station will say they do not have cars. Police stations will now have motor vehicles.”

[WATCH]: Brendon Petersen from Randfontein explains his journey to become a Crime Prevention Warden. He says he is looking forward to keep his community safe. #WarOnCrime #BootsOnTheGround @GP_CommSafety pic.twitter.com/pp0eddlKW9

— Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) April 30, 2023

The wardens will focus on 361 wards in townships and informal settlements.

A vehicle will patrol the wards 24-hours, 7-days-a-week to ensure it is secure.

He said the wardens had use of six helicopters, however two would be donated to the provincial police.

Lesufi said he would unveil new CCTV networks and 50 drones later this month also aimed at crime prevention and prosecution.

“When police vehicles and members cannot enter informal settlements and hostels, our drones will be there.

“Every citizen in Gauteng will soon be armed with a panic button, where our 6 000 wardens will be able to respond and help.”

ALSO READ: Watch out criminals: vehicle recognition, drone tech and more to hit Gauteng townships

He said the prevention of illegal land occupation and damage to state infrastructure would be resolved in collaboration with the Gauteng department of infrastructure development and human settlements.

Lesufi warned the wardens not to take bribes or use vehicles for personal use.

The wardens can also arrest anyone who is reasonably suspected of breaking any law concerning the production, distribution, possession or transit of liquor, drugs or the possession or disposal of weapons or ammunition.

17/ The Peace Officer can arrest anyone who is reasonably suspected of breaking any law which governs the production, distribution, possession, or transit of alcoholic liquor, drugs or the possession or disposal of weapons or ammunition.
 #WarOnCrime #BootsOnTheGround pic.twitter.com/kxf1RDrD5M

— Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) May 1, 2023

Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela said Lesufi identified a problem facing the SAPS.

“We have been donated helicopters that will assist in cash-in-transit robberies in this province. The vans and powerful vehicles will assist in responding to crimes, others far from police stations.”

Mawela pleaded with all station commanders to utilise the wardens correctly in tackling crime.

“Let us not hamper the mission and objectives of this province.”

“We will soon be tackling hotspots and flushing out criminality.”

[WATCH]: Premier @Lesufi arrives at Giant Stadium, @CityTshwane, for the Pass Out Parade of over 3000 Crime newly recruited Crime Prevention Wardens. The Premier is joined my @GP_CommSafety MEC @FaithMazibukoSA, and Provincial Commissioner Lt General Elias Mawela. #WarOnCrime pic.twitter.com/ykS1FTbNun

— Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) April 30, 2023

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