KZN Police Commissioner Mkhwanazi
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has dropped a bombshell in Parliament, declaring Gauteng’s controversial Crime Prevention Wardens—widely known as AmaPanyaza—an illegal outfit that “should not exist” under current laws. Testifying before the Ad Hoc Committee probing police corruption on 8 October 2025, Mkhwanazi acknowledged Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s “good intentions” to combat crime but insisted the unit operates outside legal bounds, sparking fresh scrutiny on provincial policing structures.
This revelation ties into broader concerns about parallel law enforcement units undermining the South African Police Service (SAPS), amid ongoing debates on cadre deployment and resource allocation in Gauteng, South Africa’s economic heartland.
The testimony comes as the committee, formed after Mkhwanazi’s July 2025 allegations of a criminal syndicate infiltrating SAPS, digs into issues like political interference and unlawful directives.  With crime rates in Gauteng stubbornly high—over 1,500 murders reported in the last quarter alone—initiatives like AmaPanyaza were meant to boost visibility on the streets. Yet, Mkhwanazi’s words have reignited calls for reform, echoing criticisms from opposition leaders like EFF’s Julius Malema, who has long slammed the wardens as an ANC patronage scheme.
Mkhwanazi’s Scathing Assessment of AmaPanyaza
During day two of the ad hoc committee hearings, Mkhwanazi pulled no punches on the Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens, established by Premier Lesufi in 2022.  “By law [AmaPanyaza] should not exist,” he stated flatly, adding that he raised red flags at the Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting. “I said this is illegal. It is against the law, and the premier must be advised. He has got good intentions but it cannot be done. The law doesn’t allow it.” 
He explained that efforts to fold the unit into the Police Act failed, as SAPS Legal Services warned it violated regulations. “The unit could not be incorporated into the Police Act… Legally they are not supposed to be there,” Mkhwanazi continued.  Former Police Minister Bheki Cele outright refused to approve it, leading to reported tensions with Lesufi, who pushed ahead regardless. 
In 2023, then-Justice Minister Ronald Lamola stepped in, granting the wardens limited powers as peace officers under Section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977. This allowed them to assist with crimes like traffic offences, illegal occupation, and by-law violations. However, Mkhwanazi maintained that this workaround doesn’t fix the core issue—the unit’s setup remains “problematic and against the law,” with training continuing despite objections.
Launched with fanfare in December 2022, AmaPanyaza started with over 6,000 recruits, many drawn from Gauteng’s unemployed youth. They underwent basic military training at SANDF facilities, donning khaki uniforms and berets, and were deployed to hotspots in townships like Soweto and Alexandra to deter crime through patrols and visibility. The programme, costing hundreds of millions in taxpayer funds, includes perks like branded vehicles and stipends, but critics argue it’s more about political optics than effective policing.
Backlash and Allegations of Abuse
Since inception, AmaPanyaza has faced heavy criticism for inadequate training—initially just three months—and reports of overreach. Incidents include wardens allegedly assaulting residents, conducting unlawful searches, and clashing with SAPS officers. In August 2024, a viral video showed wardens manhandling suspects, prompting the DA to label them ineffective and abusive. Earlier, in February 2024, concerns arose over their SANDF training, with experts warning it blurs lines between military and civilian roles.
Mkhwanazi’s comments amplify worries about “parallel structures” weakening SAPS authority. He tied this to national issues, like the need for constitutional tweaks to decentralise policing and avoid centralised bottlenecks. In Gauteng, where syndicates fuel hijackings and extortion, such units risk creating confusion and legal loopholes for criminals.
Public reactions on social media exploded post-testimony. Users like @officialtwinny posted: “Mkhwanazi: Amapanyaza are an illegal unit. Lesufi: We are working on a BULLET TRAIN that travels from Gauteng to Limpopo.” Others, like @enhle_ngubeni, noted: “AmaPanyaza are catching a stray… This is illegal the Premier must be advised -General Mkhwanazi.” The chatter underscores frustration with perceived wasteful spending amid high unemployment.
Malema’s Long-Standing Attacks on AmaPanyaza
EFF leader Julius Malema has been a vocal critic, framing AmaPanyaza as an ANC “cadre deployment” ploy to reward loyalists. At the EFF’s 10th anniversary rally in July 2023 at FNB Stadium, he vowed: “Once his party takes over Gauteng, they will dismiss Amapanyaza (Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens).” Malema accused Lesufi of improper hiring, claiming recruits were picked for being ANC members or campaigners, not qualifications.
He portrayed the unit as a “wasteful ANC project favoring party loyalists over effective policing,” aligning with the EFF’s attacks on ANC governance and state resource misuse for patronage. Lesufi hit back, defending the wardens as vital for crime-fighting and youth employment. The ANC Youth League in Gauteng slammed Malema as a “political opportunist,” insisting the programme creates real jobs.
Malema’s stance resonates with opposition parties like the DA, which has called AmaPanyaza ineffective and demanded accountability for alleged abuses. In recent months, Malema has broadened his critique, linking it to GNU tensions and calling for probes into provincial spending.
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