The Gauteng crime wardens, popularly known as Amapanyaza, have officially been declared peace officers following corrective action taken after a Public Protector finding that their earlier designation was irregular.
The announcement was made in Pretoria on Friday by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, and Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who is overseeing the remedial process.
“I can confirm here today that I have issued a Gazette designating what used to be known as Amapanyapanya as peace officers,” Kubayi said.
Premier Lesufi welcomed the swift implementation of the decision, praising the two ministers for acting with urgency.
“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to both ministers. I cannot speak for other ministers, but I have never witnessed such speed. We met just two weeks ago, and within a week the gazette was issued, whereas previously we had waited for a long time. I thank you sincerely,” Lesufi said.
With the transition now underway, Lesufi said the legal standing of the approximately 9,000 wardens can no longer be questioned.
“The Public Protector was very clear that the three of us needed to regularise what was previously irregular. As a result, the element of irregularity now falls away. This process allows those involved to continue working with law enforcement agencies while their legal training through SAPS is completed. Once SAPS confers peace officer status, they will be legally empowered to carry out their duties,” he said.
The officers will undergo accredited training programmes as part of the process to become fully fledged peace officers.
“This is a transitional period that must be respected. Now that the gazette is in place, there is a clear framework to train them and ultimately bring this chapter to a close. Our interest has always been to support law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime, not through statements alone, but by investing real resources,” Lesufi added.
While commending the overall contribution of the wardens, the Premier acknowledged that misconduct within the ranks had been addressed.
“About 300 of them had to be released — fired, so to speak — for engaging in wrongdoing, including misuse of vehicles. At times they would raid illegal taverns and some of the alcohol would not be accounted for,” Lesufi said.