Johannesburg – Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced a comprehensive restructuring of the Gauteng Traffic Wardens Programme.
Addressing thousands of wardens at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Sunday, 21 June 2026, Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the future model will establish a single Gauteng Traffic Wardens Corps operating across three integrated streams.
“The first stream will focus on traffic law enforcement and road safety compliance, strengthening provincial traffic policing capacity and improving road safety outcomes,” said Premier Lesufi.
“The second stream will focus on visible policing, crime prevention, and integrated operations with the South African Police Service (SAPS), supporting efforts to combat crime in identified hotspot areas and improve community safety.
“The third stream will provide security and infrastructure protection services, including access control, CCTV monitoring, asset protection, and rapid response capabilities across provincial government facilities,” said Lesufi.
Premier Lesufi thanked the wardens for their contribution in fighting crime in the province and for the decline as reflected in the crime statistics results a week ago.
He said in terms of the applicable proclamation and provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act, designated Gauteng Traffic Wardens appointed as Peace Officers will be empowered to exercise specific law enforcement functions.
This includes arresting offenders without a warrant in circumstances prescribed by law, executing warrants of arrest, issuing written notices, and performing other duties authorised under relevant legislation.
Pending full certification, Gauteng Traffic Wardens will continue supporting government priorities through the protection of government facilities, school safety initiatives, visible patrols in communities and central business districts, road safety programmes, event security operations and deployments at designated ports of entry.
The future model will also incorporate e-policing capabilities through the monitoring of CCTV and electronic security systems and will support the establishment of the Provincial Integrated Command Centre planned for the 2027/28 financial year.
In addition, the programme will strengthen the protection of provincial infrastructure and government-owned land through dedicated security and rapid response functions.
To support this transition, Gauteng Traffic Wardens will undergo an intensive three-month training programme at the Provincial Traffic College from 5 October to 20 December 2026, combining theoretical and practical instruction aligned to approved national curricula.
This reform marks a significant step towards building a professional, accountable, and integrated provincial safety service that protects communities, safeguards public assets, and creates sustainable opportunities for the youth of Gauteng.
However, Premier Lesufi warned that misconduct within the ranks will not be tolerated.
He revealed that since the establishment of the programme, 320 wardens have been dismissed following disciplinary processes for offences including corruption, absenteeism, criminal conduct, and actions that undermined the integrity of the service.
“We cannot build a force that fights crime while tolerating criminal behaviour within its own ranks,”’ Premier Lesufi said.
“We cannot claim to protect women and vulnerable members of society while allowing conduct that promotes gender-based violence or harms those we are meant to serve.”
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