Tshwane’s 638 new ‘crime wardens’ hit the ground running
Three thousand wardens completed their training and were deployed across the province following a graduation ceremony at Giant Stadium in Soshanguve.
A new force in military greens had their first week in action, with 638 so-called “crime prevention wardens” bringing their training to communities across the Capital City.
Gauteng Premier Panyasi Lesufi introduced Gauteng’s crime prevention wardens to the residents of Gauteng on Sunday, April 30.
These wardens have been trained to assist the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies to fight and reduce crime in Gauteng.
Lesufi said at a training event he attended in mid-April that the wardens would help in policing “our streets to add in the fight against crime”.
“A vision turning into reality always excites me big time! Best wishes to these young ones!”
Today, I visited these young men and women who were unemployed and possibly angry 4 months ago, next week almost 4000 of them will police our streets to add in the fight against crime. A vision turning into reality always excites me big time! Best wishes to these young ones! pic.twitter.com/eel9NPHgIt
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) April 19, 2023
Three thousand wardens completed their training and were deployed across the province following a graduation ceremony at Giant Stadium in Soshanguve on April 30.
According to a statement, the wardens will use e-policing solutions such as drones, CCTV, helicopters and e-panic buttons to aid in ensuring timeous responses to crime incidents.
The statement said that the wardens are recognised as peace officers under Section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Act (Act No.51 of 1977).
Their powers extend to arresting without a warrant, obtaining a name and address, executing warrants, and may appear in court as witnesses.
To begin with, the wardens are specifically tasked with assisting in townships, informal settlements and hostels and will later be expanded across Gauteng.
Tshwane District, under the command of Major-General Azwinndini Nengovhela, received 638 of these wardens.
They were deployed at Olievenhoutbosch (31), Ga-Rankuwa (37), Mamelodi (46), Mamelodi East (105), Atteridgeville (103), Bronkhorstspruit (58), Cullinan (15), Soshanguve, Rietgat, Akasia (combined 173), Loate (34), and Mabopane (36) police stations.
The wardens were placed with experienced operational members to assist with continuous in-service training.
Regional SAPS spokesperson Johan van Dyk said that this was done to equip the wardens with the necessary skills to assist with reducing crime.
“These wardens have been deployed successfully on numerous crime operations, such as provincial and district O Kae Malao operations where their presence enhanced the effectiveness of the operations,” said Van Dyk.
Van Dyk said that the new wardens “were positively welcomed by the public and thanked for their dedication in eradicating crime in their respective communities”.
[IN PICTURES]: Premier Panyaza Lesufi briefs members of the media on the crime busting Crime Prevention Wardens. #WarOnCrime #BootsOnTheGround pic.twitter.com/NbinlVXDgb
— Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) April 28, 2023
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