AmaPanyaza now recognised as Gauteng Traffic Officers

The Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens, casually known as Amapanyaza, will be recognised as Gauteng Traffic Officers instead of peace officers.

AMAPANYAZA NO LONGER ‘PEACE OFFICER’

This follows a directive from the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola.

In a statement, the Ministry outlined that in June 2023, the Gauteng Provincial government requested the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services to designate the Crime Prevention Wardens as peace officers, as outlined in section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977.

Under section 334(1)(a), the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services has the authority to confer peace officer status to any person by their office, to exercise power under the Criminal Procedure Act, any offence, or any designated class of offences.

ALSO READ: Crime Prevention Wardens accused of illegal searches and assaults

GAUTENG TRAFFIC OFFICERS STATUS DECIDED BY LAMOLA

“After conducting a thorough analysis of the applicable legal frameworks, it was determined that for the Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens to exercise peace officer powers, they must assume the same legal status as Gauteng Provincial traffic officers,” said Chrispin Phiri, the Ministry Spokesperson.

“Provincial traffic officers currently carry out their duties within the ambit of their peace officer designation, supported by the necessary legal framework,” Phiri added.
He further said the government is determined to take every possible measure to prevent crime and safeguard the well-being of our neighbourhoods.
“Minister Lamola having engaged both the Minister of Police and the Premier of Gauteng Province thanked all the stakeholders involved for their collaborative and constructive efforts,” Phiri relayed.

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PREMIER LESUFI WELCOMES THE WARDENS NEW STATUS

The decision comes as  AmaPanyaza were barred from undertaking police duties at police stations, a directive issued by Gauteng provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela last month.

ALSO READ: Directive LEAKED: AmaPanyaza cannot undertake police duties

Nevertheless, the Premier and brainchild of the Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens, Panyaza Lesufi welcomed the new decision.
“We welcome this announcement that finally clarifies the uncertainty over the status of the Crime Prevention Wardens. This announcement affirms what we have said all along, that the CPWs are a legal, well-equipped provincial law enforcement body that collaborates with other law enforcement organisations in the province. They operate under the supervision of the other law enforcement agencies i.e. Gauteng Traffic and local authorities,” said Lesufi.

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