SEDIBENG.- The Gauteng provincial government has announced that the Gauteng Traffic Wardens will be phased out in their current form and repurposed to strengthen the province’s law enforcement capacity.

According to Premier Panyaza Lesufi, the wardens will become part of the Gauteng Traffic Police, the Special Law Enforcement Unit (SLEU), and other strategic security partners as part of a major restructuring effort aimed at enhancing safety and security across the province.

As part of this transition, the wardens will undergo extensive and intensive training over the next 18 to 36 months to equip them with the necessary skills for their new roles. Those who can’t qualify for this training will be assigned to municipalities for by-law enforcement or security services in various government departments following additional training.

Lesufi added that the provincial government will continue to engage with the national minister of police, the minister of justice, and other key stakeholders to solidify this new direction.

“We will also release resources for training and the capacitation of the new mandate that will be given to the officers,” he affirmed.

The premier praised the impact of the Gauteng Traffic Wardens, noting that they have strengthened visible policing across the province. Their presence has been instrumental in major events, tracking drug dealers, and the recovery of stolen vehicles. Lesufi also emphasised the wardens’ role in safeguarding TISH (Township, Informal Settlements, and Hostels) areas.