ANCYL Gauteng Stands Firm: Defends AmaPanyaza as Key to Fighting Crime and Youth Unemployment
Johannesburg – The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in Gauteng has come out strongly in defence of the province’s Crime Prevention Wardens, known as AmaPanyaza, labelling criticisms from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as “reckless and misleading”. In a media statement issued on 09 October 2025, the ANCYL condemned Mkhwanazi’s recent parliamentary testimony where he branded the initiative illegal, arguing that such remarks could spark unnecessary panic and undermine efforts to make communities safer.
The statement, released by Provincial Secretary Cde Mpume Sangweni, highlights the programme’s success in tackling crime and empowering young people. This response adds to the growing chorus from Gauteng officials rejecting Mkhwanazi’s claims, amid an ongoing parliamentary probe into police corruption and interference.
ANCYL’s Strong Defence of AmaPanyaza
The ANCYL expressed deep concern over Mkhwanazi’s utterances before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, where he claimed the Gauteng Crime Prevention Warden programme was “illegal” and “should not exist”. [1] They described his comments as unsubstantiated and dangerously irresponsible, with the potential to mislead the public, create media distortion, and erode trust in a government-led initiative aimed at community safety.
“Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi’s statements, particularly his suggestion that he had advised the Board of Commissioners (BOC) about the alleged ‘illegalities’ of the programme without providing any specific details, are highly reckless,” the statement read. The league views this as an attempt to delegitimise a progressive intervention that has already shown its effectiveness in crime prevention and youth empowerment.
The ANCYL stands firm in defence of the Gauteng Provincial Government’s visionary initiative, led by Premier Panyaza Lesufi. “The AmaPanyaza have become an integral part of the fight against crime, working in close collaboration with law enforcement agencies across the province,” it noted. Since their deployment, these wardens have confronted a wide range of criminal activities, from petty offences to brazen crimes such as car hijackings.
Their visible presence in communities has boosted law enforcement capacity, restored public confidence, and strengthened the province’s broader crime prevention strategy.
The league acknowledged questions raised about the programme’s structure, evolution, legal framework, and the incorporation of trained military veterans. However, it emphasised that the focus should remain on outcomes: a safer province with reduced levels of violent crime and thousands of young people gainfully employed. “Rather than vilifying this initiative, society should rally behind efforts to strengthen it, enhance oversight, and ensure continued compliance with all legislative requirements,” the statement urged.
AmaPanyaza: More Than Just Safety – A Youth Empowerment Tool
Importantly, the ANCYL framed AmaPanyaza not just as a safety programme, but as a youth empowerment and socio-economic development intervention. Over 6,000 young people have been employed through this initiative, marking a significant stride in addressing unemployment and poverty in communities. The league has long fought for government to implement progressive, youth-centred programmes that respond to both social and economic challenges.
“AmaPanyaza is a shining example of what is possible when government listens to the Youth League’s call to place young people at the forefront of service delivery, development, and nation-building,” the statement said. It strongly rejected any insinuation that empowering young people to contribute to community safety is “irresponsible”. On the contrary, it represents a government that trusts its youth, training, equipping, and guiding them to be protectors rather than bystanders in the face of crime.
The ANCYL called on the Gauteng Department of Community Safety to urgently address the misleading narrative and clarify any legal uncertainties surrounding the programme. “Where administrative or legislative gaps exist, they must be urgently resolved, but under no circumstances should young people be displaced from this impactful programme that is changing lives and restoring order in our communities,” it added.
“The AmaPanyaza initiative is proof that when government invests in its youth, it invests in the future. The ANCYL will continue to defend this and all other progressive interventions that aim to build a safer, more just, and youth-driven Gauteng.”
Context: Mkhwanazi’s Testimony Ignites Debate
This defence comes a day after Mkhwanazi’s explosive testimony on 08 October 2025 before the Ad Hoc Committee investigating police corruption. He stated that despite Premier Lesufi’s “good intentions” to fight crime, the AmaPanyaza unit operates outside legal bounds and “should not exist”. Mkhwanazi revealed he had raised concerns at a Board of Commissioners meeting, warning that the programme violated regulations and could not be incorporated into the Police Act.
Former Police Minister Bheki Cele reportedly refused to approve it, leading to tensions. However, in 2023, then-Justice Minister Ronald Lamola granted the wardens limited powers as peace officers under the Criminal Procedure Act, allowing them to handle certain offences.
Launched in December 2022, AmaPanyaza recruited over 6,000 unemployed youth for basic military training at SANDF facilities. Deployed in hotspots like Soweto and Alexandra, they focus on visible policing in townships, informal settlements, and hostels. Critics, including EFF leader Julius Malema, have slammed it as an ANC patronage scheme, while reports of overreach and inadequate training have surfaced.
Gauteng Government’s Response Echoes ANCYL Stance
The Gauteng Provincial Government has also hit back, rejecting Mkhwanazi’s claims as “sweeping statements” that distort facts. In a statement on 09 October 2025, spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga affirmed that the wardens are legitimate, grounded in the Constitution’s call for cooperative governance. The programme addresses the province’s poor police-to-citizen ratio—one officer per 541 residents in a 16-million-strong population.
Drawing from models like the Western Cape’s Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP), AmaPanyaza operates under SAPS supervision as peace officers. The government remains committed to finalising protocols for effective, lawful contributions to public safety.
🔴Central News Weekly Edition | Issue 115 🔴Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Headline: Ngwathe Municipality Refuses to Back Down, Heads to Supreme Court of Appeal
Download Here:
Direct PDF File Here:
https://centralnews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Central-News-Issue-114-1.pdf
Read all our publications on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues
Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za