Ml Muhammad Bham | mbham@radioislam.co.za
2 May 2023| 17:00 CAT
2 min read

Photo Credit: Sedibeng Star

The Gauteng Provincial Government has taken a zero-tolerance approach to crime.

Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, said introducing the crime-busting unit in the province should send a strong message to criminals. Lesufi speaking at the passing-out ceremony of the 6000 wardens in Soshanguve, North of Pretoria, said their duty was not to negotiate with criminals.

IPUSA General Secretary, Mpho Kwinika, says it will take time for Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s Crime Prevention Warden initiative to become fully effective.

The wardens will operate under the law, and the mandate will fall under the municipalities.

This establishment was formed by the Gauteng government, separate from the Metro Police or the Gauteng Traffic Department.

The duties of these officers will include manning crime scenes, they will have the right to arrest in terms of Section 14, and they will also have the right to interact with the societies that they serve.

The 6000 wardens are fresh recruits given two and a half to three months of training; others are still in college and will start their duties at the end of the month.

Kwinika said that the three months of training are too short, and they will need more time.

He said that to deal with crime scene management, a person requires more than a month to master it, and crime scene management is a critical environment that detectives service. For successful prosecution of the accused in court, Kwinika says you must master the crime scene.

Another concern is the issue of firearms; the wardens have not registered the firearms and are busy with legislation to do so.

The use of drones presented another issue. Drones would occupy flying space which would see aviation law kick in, for which officers will require the knowledge and know-how to ensure that the correct regulations are followed to be accepted in a court of law.

IPUSA is very optimistic about this project, and if this unit is utilised correctly, it will positively impact the fight against crime.

Kwinika said South Africa must allow them to showcase what they are capable of even though we are sceptical of their formation existed.

However, questions will remain about why the Premier did not add more value or money to existing structures like the Metro Police or the SAPS.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat on Sabahul Muslim here