By Mapaballo Borotho and Pitso Molemane
- At least 80 traffic officers in Rand West City are reportedly working without firearms while carrying out their duties across the West Rand.
- The officers say they face safety risks when dealing with reckless motorists and operating in areas affected by illegal mining.
- The municipality says it is aware of the concerns and is continuously working to improve resources for public safety officers.
South Africans are dependent on law enforcement officers, such as traffic cops and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), to keep them safe, ensure there is order in the streets and deal with crime, among other things.
But what happens when the very group that you depend on is also in danger while having to perform their daily duties without firearms?
Kaya News recently learnt that traffic officers in the Rand West City Local Municipality, west of Gauteng, are reportedly being sent onto some of the province’s most dangerous roads to perform their daily duties without necessary resources such as firearms, communication radios and enough vehicles.
This has raised questions about the safety of the law enforcement officers and whether they are able to protect citizens.
These traffic officers are expected to stop, pursue and confront reckless motorists daily, despite allegedly not having access to some of the basic equipment required to perform their duties safely.
Although contact crimes decreased by only 3% in Gauteng, criminal activities remain a concern in the province. This was revealed by the provincial Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni.
Mthombeni presented the figures during a briefing to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety on policing performance and crime statistics for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year on Friday, 11 September 2026.
These figures are not just numbers, but lived realities for many South Africans, including Rand West traffic officers who are allegedly expected to fight crime without adequate equipment.
The concerns extend beyond the lack of firearms.
Kaya News’ investigation uncovered claims that traffic officers also lack adequate communication equipment and that the municipality does not have a properly functioning communication control room dedicated to supporting its traffic officers.
There are reportedly about 86 traffic officers employed by the Rand West City Local Municipality. However, it is alleged that fewer than 20 officers have been allocated firearms.
This means the overwhelming majority of traffic officers are reportedly working without firearms while patrolling public roads and dealing with motorists who may become aggressive or violent.
The officers operate across areas including Randfontein, Westonaria, the busy N12 corridor and Glenharvey – areas where they say they can be exposed to serious safety risks.
Speaking anonymously to Kaya News, the officers said their concerns are heightened by the presence of illegal mining activities and so-called zama zamas in some parts of the municipality.
The officers argue that they are being expected to perform a dangerous job without adequate protection and equipment.
They told Kaya News that stopping a reckless or suspected drunk driver can quickly escalate, particularly when an officer is alone, unarmed and unable to call for backup immediately.
Mayor responds
Responding to these allegations, Rand West Mayor William Mathafeng Matsheke said the local municipality is aware of the issues raised by the traffic officers.
“We have increased our fleet in public safety, and we have also taken a decision that for every financial year, internally, we will budget for improving our fleet in public safety.
We are one of the fastest-growing cities in Gauteng. We have also attended to the tools of trade in public safety in terms of the issuing of radios and firearms. Although we are aware that it might not be enough, we are continuously improving.”
Matsheke assured that all the issues raised by the traffic officers are being addressed.
This story was investigated by Kaya 959 News Reporter Pitso Molemane. follow the story on @Kaya News on X as it unfolds.
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