For several years, Mberegeni Ndou tried unsuccessfully to join the police. That dream became a reality last week when he graduated as a Gauteng crime prevention warden.
Ndou, 33, of Westonaria, joined other graduates this week who were deployed on various operations in the province.
They joined the SAPS, metro police and Gauteng traffic police who served as their instructors in areas including Krugersdorp, Thembisa, Wedela in Carletonville, Pretoria and Westonaria.
“It was nice to finally be doing work on the ground,” Ndou said. “We conducted searches of people on the streets in Wedela. On Thursday we were in Krugersdorp in another operation where we found guys with drugs and nyaope and arrested them. It was a good experience for me because I learnt about crimes that I did not even know existed.”
Ndou is one of the 4,000 crime prevention wardens who graduated after three months of training. They will patrol some of the most crime-ridden areas of Gauteng to improve police visibility and response to crime.
Since finishing matric in 2011, Ndou applied to the SAPS recruitment programme “countless” times.
The only thing I want to see is whether they will take bribes like old cops do. That will be the test
— Resident Molefe Dithlokwa
He studied media and communications at the University of Limpopo and in 2017 worked as a production assistant at a company producing content for the SABC. His contract ended in April last year and he has been unemployed since then.
He spotted an advertisement calling for crime prevention wardens at his local library.
“It was always my dream to become a police officer. I wanted to be a cop even before I finished matric,” he said.
Most of the wardens have found the training programme physically taxing but Ndou said he enjoyed it.
“I had the advantage of being a physically fit person, so it was easy adjusting to training. I learnt new things on how to protect myself when I’m out there on the streets.”
Ndou and his colleagues have yet to be allocated firearms, something he is yearning for.
“I can't wait for that opportunity to learn to use a firearm. When you look at the crime, you realise there are some things that can't be done without firearms,” he said.
Asked what the biggest adjustment was, Ndou said: “Social media. We are constantly on training from morning till late afternoon. My social media people are really missing me.”
The introduction of wardens was announced by Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi in his state of the province address in February.
A total of 6,000 people were recruited and the first 4,000 have graduated. Wardens are part of Lesufi’s ambitious plan to fight crime by using CCTV cameras, drones, helicopters and panic buttons.
Herriet Chabangu, 32, of Protea Glen, Soweto, last worked in June last year as an administrative assistant at an optometrist.
“I have always loved law enforcement. So when the opportunity came, I had to take it,” she said. “Getting into the programme helped a lot because I can help my parents financially and take care of my daughter who is 12. It is also an opportunity for me to further my studies in criminology.”
She was part of an operation by police in Krugersdorp and the Pretoria CBD.
“It was a great experience to be on the ground and fighting crime. We went around checking people who are trading in alcohol without licences and also counterfeit goods. We arrested people and confiscated marijuana, other drugs and stopped illegal gambling.”
Ndou and Chabangu have not yet used one of the 200 BMWs bought for them as they have not gone through the relevant training.
“I am very excited at the fact that later we will be on our own on the streets," said Cgabangu. "We will be able to use the knowledge we have gained in fighting crime.”
Sello Maremane, spokesperson for the Gauteng Traffic Police and head of training for the crime prevention wardens, said they had been appointed as peace officers, enabling them to make arrests.
“They are not armed now because we are busy with the training on firearms in groups of 50. All our traffic officers to whom these people are reporting are armed, as are the SAPS.
“Ultimately, they will be armed and will be able to work alone at a later stage. This is a temporary arrangement. For now, they are getting on-the-job training.”
Edward Sishoko, a resident of Thembisa who saw the wardens during one of their operations, was happy to see more boots on the ground.
“We want to see police often on the streets to catch criminals. It is really encouraging for me as a resident and makes me feel safer,” Sishoko said.
Molefe Dithlokwa, who sells along Zuurfontein Road in Thembisa, also lauded the government for bringing more officers on to the streets.
“I saw them working with police, arresting people during the operation this morning. It gave me a little hope that South Africa will become a little safer. The only thing I want to see is whether they will take bribes like old cops do. That will be the test,” Dithlokwa said.
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