“I’m Going to Die With You”: Lesufi Pledges Loyalty to Gauteng’s AmaPanyaza Wardens Amid Public Protector Scrutiny

Lesufi Reaffirms Commitment to AmaPanyaza Wardens

In a stirring address on Sunday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi promised unwavering support to the province’s controversial AmaPanyaza crime prevention wardens, assuring them that they will not be abandoned despite a damning report by Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka.

The report, released earlier this year, concluded that the 2023 creation of AmaPanyaza was irregular, citing the absence of a legal framework for recruiting, training, or deploying the more than 8,900 wardens. Between May and September 2023 alone, the wardens participated in 51,773 police operations, including the high-profile Operation Shanela.

Lesufi has since announced a 36-month repurposing and training program, transitioning the wardens into fully certified Gauteng Traffic Police officers (GTP).

“Where You Die, I Die With You”

Speaking directly to the wardens in Johannesburg, Lesufi dismissed rumours that their positions would be scrapped.

“Where you’re going to die, I’m going to die with you. I’ll never abandon you because of the relationship I have with you,” he said, emphasizing that the bond was forged not from friendship, but a shared mission to combat crime.

He praised their tangible impact: streets once overrun by criminal activity are now safer, car thieves are caught in the act, drug dealers flee at the sight of wardens, and illegal scrapyards have been shut down.

“What makes me prouder is that you don’t have guns, yet you’ve taken guns from those who have illegal firearms,” Lesufi told the crowd.

Legal Status and Transformation

The Gauteng government previously clarified that AmaPanyaza has been reclassified as traffic wardens, a move that aligns them with the legal responsibilities of provincial traffic officers.

This followed a December 2023 decision by former Justice Minister Ronald Lamola, which designated wardens as peace officers. While they now hold the same legal status as traffic officers, they do not yet exercise peace officer powers or carry firearms, as SAPS certification is still pending.

Essentially, the wardens are still in a learning and training phase, awaiting full operational authority.

Financial Spotlight on the AmaPanyaza Initiative

The Public Protector’s report also highlighted the program’s significant financial footprint. According to Gauteng’s Department of Community Safety:

• R73.9 million was allocated for vehicles in 2022/2023.

• R78 million was budgeted for vehicles in 2023/2024, alongside R17.1 million for uniforms, R23.2 million for training, and R32 million paid to SANDF for training.

• An additional R172.8 million was added to the budget in November 2022, covering hiring, training, vehicles, and advanced tech like helicopters (R10 million) and drones (R4 million).

This substantial investment has drawn public scrutiny, particularly in light of Gcaleka’s findings that the wardens’ deployment lacked formal legal grounding.

Political Response and Public Debate

The DA has filed a motion of no confidence in Lesufi, citing the Public Protector’s conclusions. Meanwhile, social media reactions are mixed: some laud the wardens for improving safety, while others question the legality and spending of the initiative.

“The streets are safer, but R172 million for people without powers? Something doesn’t add up,” one Johannesburg resident tweeted.

Analysts suggest that Lesufi’s commitment to the wardens underscores a delicate balance between legal compliance, public safety, and political loyalty.

Despite scrutiny, Lesufi’s message is clear: AmaPanyaza is here to stay, and he is personally invested in their success. As the 36-month training plan unfolds, Gauteng residents will soon see whether the wardens can fully transition into certified traffic officers, armed with both authority and public trust.

For now, the premier’s pledge resonates with the wardens and their supporters: he will stand by them through controversy and challenge, promising not to abandon a program he sees as vital to community safety.

{Source: The Citizen}

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