Mpumalanga follows Gauteng’s lead with plans to introduce crime prevention wardens
The Department of Community Safety in Mpumalanga plans to recruit more than a thousand crime prevention wardens as part of its efforts to fight crime.
The Provincial MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, says the initiative is meant as a response to the high levels of gender-based violence and crime in communities.
In the latest high-profile incident, police in Mpumalanga found the body of a 37-year-old Bonisiwe Mabuza buried in a shallow grave in Pienaar, outside Nelspruit.
Mabuza was reported missing a few days before her body was discovered.
READ: Body of missing Mpumalanga woman found in shallow grave
In a separate incident, police also found the remains of Junior Mabandla, the six-year-old boy who went missing last month.
According to the police’s Donald Mdhluli, Mabandla’s body was discovered buried on top of another person last week Wednesday.
Moeti Mmusi, spokesperson for the Department of Community Safety, says the crime prevention warden recruits will be placed in all the province's police stations.
"We will confront the scourge of crime from all angles. The police alone will not win this war. Hence, the wardens will work with all relevant role players to improve the safety of our communities.
“We want those individuals who are currently involved in crime prevention initiatives in their communities but are unemployed and meet the requirements to apply. Applicants must apply in for posts in areas where they reside.”
Mpumalanga is set to become the second province in South Africa to introduce crime prevention wardens. It will follow in the footsteps of Gauteng, which pioneered the program despite facing criticism from various opposition parties in 2023.
The wardens, commonly referred to as amaPanyaza in reference to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, have already started their duties and have been handed the same powers as traffic officers.
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