The Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, has succumbed to the DA’s pressure and withdrew an advertisement for 6000 crime prevention wardens less than 24 hours after the advertisement was published.
The DA questioned why the applicants were required to produce a motivational letter from the ward councillor.
The fact that politicians were involved in the recruitment process points to an attempt to create political patronage networks.
The DA is on a mission of eradicating cadre deployment as it has brought nothing but corruption, and state capture and resulted in the deterioration of our safety and security systems within our country.
Although there is a dire need for more human resources to assist with crime prevention, the DA believes that these positions should be allocated on a fit-for-purpose and merit basis, and not according to political party lines. The code of conduct for councillors is clear that they cannot be involved in administrative matters. These motivational letters would blur the lines and will be a direct contravention of the councillor’s code of conduct.
The DA has directly engaged with MEC Mazibuko concerning the advertisement and she responded that the councillor’s motivation letter was required as evidence that the candidate resides in the ward. She stated that the wardens will be working in their own wards and that the advert has been temporarily withdrawn because they are sorting certain requirements.
The DA welcomes the withdrawal of the advertisement; however, we will be submitting formal questions to MEC Mazibuko in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to determine what recruitment processes will be followed for the appointment of the wardens.
We will also continue to monitor this process to ensure that cadre deployment does not risk the safety and security of Gauteng residents.