ActionSA calls for Presidential Proclamation to investigate Panyaza’s Crime Wardens Scheme

13 November 2023

ActionSA notes the silly games the ANC is playing on residents' safety and implores the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi’s crime prevention warden's unit, which was unlawfully established by the Gauteng Department of Community Safety.

For months ActionSA has vehemently opposed the use of state resources by the Premier for electioneering purposes.

The wardens hired by the provincial government are ill-equipped and incapable of protecting not only themselves but their communities from any threat of danger.

Since the launch of the scheme in April, evidence has revealed that the 6 000 deployed wardens were inadequately trained by unqualified staff and did not have the authority to make arrests, among other tasks.

The latest inter-governmental failure that is now playing out in the public confirms our position that our country needs change. If it were not so depressing, it would be comical that leaders in the current government —who South Africans have elected to protect them—have instead used the nation's hardships for personal political benefit.

Panyaza for his mere gimmicks and Police Minister, Bheki Cele, for his failure to even empower experienced SAPS reservists despite the increased need for security in communities.

Hundreds of qualified and experienced reservists have been denied posts as crime wardens, revealing that the entire employment scheme is a facade by the ANC to secure votes.

ActionSA calls for a Presidential Proclamation that will conduct a thorough forensic investigation into the establishment of crime prevention wardens, including recouping monies paid to service providers.

We, as a party, have zero tolerance for corruption and believe that all those responsible should be prosecuted and held accountable for their actions. Additionally, we demand that the reservists be insourced.

For far too long, the ANC has gotten away with despicable acts of corruption and incompetence. We will ensure that the law is applied, the scheme is investigated, and it is disbanded.

Issued by Funzi Ngobeni, ActionSA Gauteng Provincial Chairperson, 13 November 2023