The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes the conversion of Crime Prevention Wardens to Peace Officers as announced by the troika comprising the Ministers for Justice and Constitutional Development, Police and the Gauteng Premier.

We welcome this milestone as part of the implementation of the remedial actions recommended by the Public Protector. This announcement guarantees that 9 300 jobs will be saved and the communities will receive much needed peace and protection.

COSATU in Gauteng will work together with our Affiliate, POPCRU and the Gauteng Department of Community Safety to properly align the conditions of service for the Peace Wardens and bring them fully in the public service.

The Federation in Gauteng is, however, concerned by recent legal threats by right-wing and liberal organisations led by the Democratic Alliance, Afriforum and Solidarity. Their threats reflect organisations that have no interest in the safety of Black communities but are more interested to use the Black working class to undermine our constitutionally sanctioned transformation journey, and in particular the need to uplift the poor and the working class.

COSATU in Gauteng calls for these organisations to desist from what we believe are racist tendencies and to work towards building an inclusive province where Black and White communities are treated the same. These organisations must not weaponise the process of providing safety and peace to working-class communities by adding obstacles to address our high levels of crime by the Premier of Gauteng and the Gauteng Provincial Government.

We also call communities to see the DA, Afriforum and Solidarity for who they really are and where their interests rest in this matter, which is the safety of the minority at the expense of majority citizens.

Issued by COSATU Gauteng

Provincial Chairperson (Amos Monyela): 079 493 5002

Provincial Secretary (Louisah Modikwe): 066 182 2402 / 082 297 2659