Lerato Mailoane
From 1 May, over 3 000 of the 6 000 young, fit and agile Crime Prevention Wardens (CPWs) will be deployed to crime hotspots across the Gauteng province.
The wardens will also work with communities, Community Patrollers, schools, and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) to eliminate elements of crime, such as lawlessness, vandalism, and corruption across communities.
Briefing the media on Friday ahead of the pass-out parade on Sunday, Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the wardens will use e-Policing solutions such as drones, CCTVs, helicopters, e-panic buttons, helicopters and high patrol vehicles to ensure the timeous response to crime incidents such as car hijackings, robberies, murder and gender-based violence, amongst others.
The Crime Prevention Wardens are recognised as Peace Officers in accordance with section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Act (Act No.51 of 1977).
Their powers extend to arresting without a warrant, obtaining a name and address, execution of warrants and may appear in court as witnesses.
Lesufi said wardens will be the ears and eyes of communities in every ward. Gauteng has 361 wards in the Township Informal Settlements (TISH) areas and later expanded across Gauteng.
The Department of Community Safety has spent R450 million on CPWs.
“Locally manufactured vehicles will be procured to fight crime and enable the wardens to patrol communities,” said Lesufi, who first made the commitment to fight crime, vandalism and lawlessness when he took office in October 2022.
“It was not an easy task. We had huge numbers that applied for this programme because we are bringing 6000 people. We also had challenges with a venue and catering,”
With the help of the many agencies, such as the Independent Electoral Commission,
Lesufi said the province was able to confirm if the trainees were indeed South African and Gauteng residents and verify their criminal records.
“We now remain with over 3000 that will be graduating on Sunday. There will be no
single township, hostel, or ward that will be left uncovered. We are prioritising the top police stations with a high crime rate where the wardens will be deployed.”
The force will have two shifts, 6 am to 6 pm and 6 pm to 6 am.
The public can reach the warden on the Premier’s hotline, 0800 228827.
INFO SOURCED FROM THE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE.
