The Joburg City Council has increased its squeeze on criminals through added capacity going beyond the festive season.

This after the Joburg Metro police graduated 170 traffic wardens on 14 November at a pass out parade witnessed by Mayor Herman Mashaba, MMC for Public Safety Michael Sun and Chief of Police David Tembe. They attended intensive training at Veritas Academy in Meadowlands Soweto as part of a new addition to the Metro police which was established in 2001. According to a statement, Tembe implored the recruits to serve the City with dignity, honour and not succumb to corruption.

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They will be deployed in the By-law Enforcement Unit with responsibilities to enforce certain traffic legislation, point duty, control of parking spaces, assist with law enforcement for city agencies and general by-law enforcement.

“They have been appointed under the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 and Businesses Act 71 of 1996. They have all powers of a Peace Officer according to the criminal procedure relating to, the Administration and Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act 40 of 1998 (Aarto). This includes issuing and delivering Aarto notices on 01, 02 and 31 on traffic offences,” the statement read. READ: Tsutsumani community ready to fight criminals in their streets

They will stop vehicles, request for vehicle and driver’s documentation and regulate and control traffic on public roads.