Threats to challenge 'AmaPanyaza' legal status in court
Political newcomers Xiluva have vowed to challenge the peace officers status granted to Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens in court.
Justice Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed on Tuesday that the wardens, dubbed AmaPanyaza after Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, have the same legal status as provincial traffic officers.
The new status was announced following a request by the Gauteng provincial government in June.
Xiluva leader Bongani Baloyi believes the move will endanger the lives of the wardens and residents.
"It cannot be that these 'officers' will assume the same legal status as traffic officers, which means all the powers conferred on a peace officer in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act will apply to them without having gone through the relevant training and appointment as per the relevant act.
"We think this whole programme is going to be a disaster, it is going to endanger communities as well as the crime prevention wardens.
"We need to appreciate the necessities and the requirements for one to have gone through the required training to be able to be the officer of the law. We cannot just appoint anyone to reduce any crime, in fact the wardens themselves are a danger to the crime.
"People who enforce the law are competent and follow the required training to enforce and implement the law," said Baloyi.
Meanwhile, ActionSA in Gauteng has called for the abolishment of the crime wardens, saying they are a danger to the lives of Gauteng residents.
The party's provincial chairperson Funzi Ngobeni said Lamola's announcement is an attempt by the ANC to justify the wardens' presence within communities.
"This is not only reckless but also a complete disregard for the safety of not only the wardens but also the residents of Gauteng, as inadequately trained individuals have been unlawfully authorised to protect communities.
At the same time. Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Sello Maremane said they'll continue to train the wardens.
"Traffic officers and the crime prevention wardens have the same power as members of the SAPS, we are all declared as peace officers.
"The crime prevention wardens are going to be given different mandates, which is to fight crime in communities.
"Training is very much continuous. This does not mean that they are not allowed to search and detect if people are not carrying anything that is against the law," said Maremane.
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