OPINION | Legalising Gauteng’s traffic wardens boosts fight against crime

Crime remains one of the most persistent threats to safety, dignity, and economic growth in Gauteng. Communities live with the daily reality of crime — robbery, gender-based violence, drug-related incidents, and vandalism. It is against this backdrop that the declaration of Gauteng traffic wardens as peace officers should be understood — not merely as a legal adjustment, but as a bold and necessary intervention aimed at restoring public safety and trust.

The wardens are appointed as peace officers to enforce road traffic and transport legislation and municipal by-laws, perform crime prevention patrols, assist in arrests within specified jurisdictions, and protect public infrastructure. The Government Gazette restricts their jurisdiction to Gauteng and defines the specific offences they are authorised to deal with under their new, lawful designation as traffic wardens. Since their introduction in 2023, wardens have become a visible presence on our streets, in townships, and across central business districts.

They patrol communities, deter criminal activity, assist victims, and often act as a first line of response in areas where police resources are stretched thin. Yet despite their contribution, their limited legal authority has often undermined their effectiveness. Declaring the wardens as peace officers closes this gap by aligning responsibility with authority, ensuring that those tasked with protecting communities are empowered to act lawfully and decisively.

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Last week, the ministry of justice and constitutional development, the ministry of police, and the Gauteng government formally declared Gauteng traffic wardens as peace officers in terms of section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977. As a result, wardens will now operate with unambiguous legal authority, prescribed powers, and a clear chain of accountability. The importance of this declaration lies, first, in crime prevention through visibility and immediacy.

Crime thrives where response times are slow and law enforcement capacity is inadequate. The recognition of the wardens as peace officers strengthens deterrence: criminals are far less likely to act when confronted by officials with real, enforceable powers rather than mere symbolic authority. Second, the move enhances community-based policing, which is globally recognised as one of the most effective approaches to crime reduction.

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