EFF Gauteng welcomes restructuring of traffic wardens programme

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng has praised the restructuring of the Gauteng Traffic Wardens Programme, particularly the decision to redeploy wardens to protect public infrastructure and government facilities across the province.

The party said that the initiative gives effect to a proposal advanced by Gauteng Provincial Chairperson and MEC for Finance, Nkululeko Dunga, while expanding the role of traffic wardens in law enforcement, road safety, and crime prevention.

The EFF said public resources should be utilised in a manner that improves service delivery, creates sustainable employment opportunities, and reduces government spending on outsourced services.

The party described the redeployment of traffic wardens, commonly known as Amapanyaza, to hospitals, schools, clinics, government offices and other public facilities as a progressive intervention.

The party further argued that the move aligns with its principles of building state capacity and ensuring the efficient use of public resources.

The EFF noted that billions of rand are spent annually on outsourced security services while many traffic wardens have operated without clearly defined responsibilities. It believes that using existing state personnel to secure public facilities will help reduce expenditure on private security contracts.

The party added that the savings generated from the initiative could be redirected towards key priorities, including the construction of schools, healthcare facilities, and the revitalisation of government infrastructure throughout Gauteng.