Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s Crime Prevention Wardens, also known as the Amapanyaza, are abusing their powers by assaulting a woman, and instilling fear and chaos among the residents of Gauteng.
This comes after the video that has gone viral on social media showing a group of Crime Prevention Wardens surrounding and assaulting a female unprovoked.
See the video here.
The DA vehemently denounces this flagrant abuse of power by the wardens and insists on a thorough investigation into the matter. It is unacceptable that the Crime Prevention Wardens, entrusted with the vital task of ensuring the safety and security of Gauteng residents, are being violent against the people they must protect.
This is one of many incidents reported about the wardens misusing their powers, which should be denounced, and they must be held to account.
The DA has consistently flagged the lack of training of these wardens and reported that rather than enforcing the law, many of them were causing panic and wreaking havoc in our communities.
During a recent Community Safety Committee meeting in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, the DA raised a crucial question regarding the impact of these Crime Prevention Wardens on fighting crime in Gauteng. Unfortunately, there was no clear answer. This led us to examine the crime statistics, and we found that since the crime wardens were hired on 1 May 2023, crime has increased. Currently, Gauteng ranks number one in the country in crime categories such as community-reported serious crimes, contact crime, rape, robbery, and others.
A DA government would reduce crime by implementing a programme similar to the one in the Western Cape called the LEAP programme to increase police presence. Unlike the Amapanyaza, those working under this programme are properly trained and do not abuse the power bestowed upon them.
The DA is unwavering in its commitment to creating safer communities in Gauteng, where the rule of law is upheld by law enforcement and residents of our province in line with the Constitution.
We will monitor this issue to ensure that the Crime Prevention Wardens implicated in assaulting a woman and many other unlawful and criminal activities are held accountable. The law must take its course against anyone who breaks it.