​Lerato Mailoane
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi commended the Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens for their community performance but warned them not to become complacent.
In a candid meeting with the wardens on Tuesday afternoon at Grace Bible Church in Soweto, Lesufi reassured them that he has taken their call for more rigorous training seriously. He also engaged with their representatives to address their concerns, demonstrating his commitment to their cause.
"I will not allow this institution's credibility to be tainted because it addresses issues on social media. We want to make things better, and wardens understand their role. 
"The kind of training we gave was insufficient, as we didn't know the approval we would get. You will have to be trained to be full-fledged traffic officers. The costs were exorbitant, so they decided to wait for approval before the training was concluded."
The premier said absorbing the wardens as Peace Officers, a role that will empower them with more authority and responsibilities, is at an advanced stage. He said the organisational structure in the Department of Community Safety has been reviewed to facilitate its absorption.
"We are here to support you. We will provide the necessary training and support and work with the South African Police Service to clarify your role. We encourage you to raise any issues internally, and we will ensure they are addressed promptly."
The meeting also resolved that all issues affecting the wardens' employment should be addressed with their supervisors, and the premier will give feedback on their employment status in due course.