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2mo ago

Public Protector Rules Gauteng Crime Wardens Unlawful as Lesufi Moves to Repurpose Force

The province now faces binding deadlines to regularise eligible recruits as traffic wardens within six months.

Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka’s conclusion this week that the Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens were not lawfully established has led the DA to announce that it will table a motion of no confidence against Premier Panyaza Lesufi. (Photo: @Fulstob / X)
Cartoon of the day. Lesufi takes Amapanyaza off the streets.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi briefs the media on the next phase for traffic wardens at the Gauteng Office of the Premier on 22 October 2025 in Johannesburg. Picture: Gallo Images/Fani Mahuntsi
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi inspects the pass out parade of new Crime Prevention Wardens, 4 June 2023. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen

Overview

  • Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka found the establishment and deployment of the Crime Prevention Wardens unlawful and irregular, citing a lack of an empowering legal framework and maladministration.
  • Panyaza Lesufi announced the unit will be phased out in its current form, with members sent for 18–36 months of training to integrate into the Gauteng Traffic Police, the Special Law Enforcement Unit, or other roles.
  • The remedial actions require an action plan within 30 days and full corrective steps within 180 days to appoint wardens lawfully as traffic wardens under the National Road Traffic Act, with support from national police and justice departments.
  • Despite having no legal authority, the wardens took part in over 51,000 operations from May to September 2023, and the Public Protector noted the initial bid to designate them as peace officers lacked a valid legal basis.
  • The Gauteng government says its decision preceded the report but aligns with it, while the DA has filed a motion of no confidence in Lesufi and the EFF and civil group OUTA demand dissolution and financial accountability.