Lesufi defends ‘AmaPanyaza’ deployment amid criticism
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has defended the appointment of 6,000 crime wardens in the face of reports that it was done unlawfully.
The Daily Maverick reported that the creation and deployment of the peace wardens, popularly known as ‘AmaPanyaza’, did not follow the prescribed procedure and was not authorised by the minister of justice and correctional services.
Lesufi appointed the wardens in April following his pronouncement during his maiden State of the Province Address, where he said his administration would focus on crime prevention through the introduction of high-tech security devices, among others.
They are tasked with assisting police in crime prevention throughout the five corridors of the province.
Speaking in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Lesufi said the Gauteng government was in talks with its counterparts at a national level to seek guidance on the matter.
He described the claims as a “misunderstanding”, adding his government’s priority remains that of putting resources behind combatting crime.
“If there are limitations with our wardens, take us through what needs to be rectified. But our argument is that we’ve put in the resources to fight crime. We’re the only province that has done [that].”
WATCH: Lesufi responds to a recent report by the Daily Maverick that the nearly 6,000 crime prevention wardens, also known as “AmaPanyaza”, were unlawfully appointed. While defending the decision, Lesufi says they’re currently seeking guidance from the national govt #GautengANC pic.twitter.com/S5u6VAbIYB
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) October 4, 2023
He added that the province’s crime prevention strategy extended beyond the wardens to include the procurement of helicopters and high-speed vehicles for the police, as well as the installation of solar masts and CCTV cameras in communities.
Lesufi said the interventions had already begun to yield positive results: “We’ve given [the police] 75 new cars, 15 mobile police stations, and two helicopters. The shootout that happened here at the Booysens offramp – that was the helicopter of the provincial government.
“You can’t cherry-pick and say I like this, and I don’t like that.”
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