Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi
By Karabo Marifi – Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has moved to calm fears among the province’s 6,000 Crime Prevention Wardens, known as Amapanyaza, assuring them their jobs are safe following a scathing report from Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka. Released on 22 October 2025, the report slammed the programme’s setup as irregular, unlawful, and unconstitutional, but Lesufi calls it a helpful guide for fixes rather than a death knell. He insists the findings push for quick changes that align with what the province has wanted for years, without cutting the wardens loose.
This comes amid mounting pressure, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) tabling a motion of no confidence against Lesufi over the scandal. Critics say the R290 million spent on the initiative was wasted on a flawed scheme that put lives at risk due to poor training and no legal backing. As Gauteng grapples with high crime rates—over 80 murders daily in recent quarters—Lesufi’s defence highlights a push to retool the wardens into traffic officers, aiming to keep them employed while sorting the mess. For residents tired of lawlessness, this could mark a step towards better safety, but questions linger on accountability and fund misuse.
Public Protector’s Bombshell Findings: Irregular Setup and Legal Breaches Exposed
The Public Protector’s investigation, sparked by a complaint from Accountability Now director Paul Hoffman in June 2023, pulled no punches. Gcaleka ruled that the Amapanyaza programme’s creation and rollout broke the law, lacking any legal framework under the Constitution or the South African Police Service (SAPS) Act. Provinces cannot set up policing units—that power sits with the national government—making the whole thing improper from the start.
Key issues flagged include no proper training accreditation, inadequate equipment, and deploying wardens without peace officer status. This left them vulnerable and ineffective, with reports of them facing dangers without legal powers to arrest or enforce. The report estimates R290 million was spent irregularly, diverting funds from health and NGOs, raising red flags on financial mismanagement.
Gcaleka gave clear fixes: Reclassify wardens as traffic officers or municipal enforcers within 180 days (six months), with phased training over 18-36 months. She stressed aligning with national laws to avoid similar flops, noting the programme’s good intent but reckless execution.
Lesufi’s Response: Embracing the Report as a Roadmap for Reform
Far from ducking the heat, Lesufi welcomed the report as “very important” and “constructive.” In interviews with SABC News and others on 23 October 2025, he denied it was leaked, saying he was unaware of its release timing but thrilled by its push for swift action. “It was not leaked. I was not even aware that I was going to release the report. And I’m excited about that report to be quite frank because the things that we’re trying to get for almost three years that report said we must do it in 30 days,” Lesufi said.
He assured wardens: “Definitely no. They will not lose their jobs. We are reconfiguring them and the public protector said the reconfiguration is the correct approach.” Some tweaks, like policy alignments, will happen in 30 days, while others needing input from Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Justice Minister Thembi Simelane will take up to 180 days.
Lesufi explained the phase-out announced on 22 October—hours before the report dropped—was proactive, not reactive. He plans to shift most wardens to traffic duties or municipal bylaw enforcement, saving jobs while fixing legal gaps. “The responsibilities outlined in the report will be implemented without disrupting the work of the young wardens,” he stressed.
Political Backlash: DA Pushes No-Confidence Motion Over ‘Reckless’ Spending
The report has ignited a firestorm, with the DA accusing Lesufi of misleading the public and wasting millions. Gauteng DA leader Solly Msimanga claimed Lesufi got a leaked copy a day early, using it to spin the disbandment as his idea. “Someone leaked the report to him. As usual, Lesufi rushed to the media to control the narrative,” Msimanga said at a briefing on 23 October.
The DA slammed the programme as “politically motivated” for elections, diverting funds without budgets or accreditation. They tabled a no-confidence motion, demanding answers on where the money went and who benefited. “The people of Gauteng deserve a Premier who tells the truth—not one who gambles with people’s lives for political gain,” Msimanga added.
Other parties echoed calls for accountability. The EFF demanded Lesufi’s resignation, labelling it a “scandal that erodes public trust.” Civil groups like Corruption Watch urged probes into potential graft.
Amapanyaza’s Troubled History: From Crime-Fighting Hope to Legal Nightmare
Launched in 2023 amid soaring crime, Amapanyaza aimed to boost patrols in townships, with 6,000 recruits trained briefly at army bases. Lesufi hailed it as a bold move to empower communities, claiming it cut offences in hotspots. But critics, including police unions and opposition, flagged it as unlawful from day one.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi told Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee it violated the SAPS Act. Wardens lacked powers, leading to risks—like arrests without authority—and poor gear. Estimates peg costs at R290 million, with little crime drop to show.
The phase-out, over 18-36 months, will retrain them for traffic or bylaw roles, but questions remain on funding and accreditation. Lesufi defends the intent: “The intention was to empower communities to take charge of their safety.”
Human Impact: Wardens’ Futures and Community Safety
For the young wardens, mostly from townships, the report brings uncertainty despite Lesufi’s assurances. Many relied on the R7,000 monthly stipend amid 45% youth unemployment. Reconfiguration could save jobs, but delays might leave them hanging.
Communities split: Some praise visible patrols, others say it was window dressing. With Gauteng’s murder rate at 44 per 100,000, real fixes are needed—better SAPS integration, not makeshift units.
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