Panyaza Lesufi’s crime fighting wardens are illegal – Mkhwanazi

Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has alleged that it was illegal for Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to deploy the province’s own crime-fighting wardens, colloquially known as ama Panya-Panya.

The Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens are a 2024 initiative by Lesufi aimed at curbing crime in Gauteng’s townships and urban areas.

Over 4,000 unemployed youth, trained at SANDF bases, patrol as Peace Officers in green overalls.

Mkhwanazi was responding to a question from DA MP Lisa-Marie Schickerling, who asked him about the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Board of Commissioners (BOC).

He explained that while the BOC is supposed to consist, by law, of National Commissioners and Provincial Commissioners.

However, the General says this is not the case, as it includes the National Commissioner as well as every Lieutenant General in SAPS, with issues tabled on the agenda for noting and discussion.

“As a Provincial Commissioner, we might have an opinion, but the majority might vote against. For example, the Gauteng Premier decided, with good intention, to start a unit that by law should not exist,” he said.

“This was the ama Panya Panya. I raised that at the BOC and said, ‘This is illegal and the Premier should be advised.’ Legal services then supported me, but my argument was still not taken seriously.”

Mkhwanazi explains that because the BOC’s legal services had taken note of the matter, they approached then-Police Minister Bheki Cele about why he could not sign off on the unit.

“As a result, that unit could not be incorporated into the Police Act. They are still in Gauteng. I’m not sure whether they are enforcing the law or what they’re doing, but legally they’re not supposed to be there,” he said.

Mkhwanazi said he thinks there was competition between Gauteng and the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement and Metro Police units.

“The City of Cape Town, by law, can have such a policing structure in terms of law enforcement and metro police, as it is provided by the Police Act. But the Act does not provide for this at the provincial level”

“I must state again that it was a good initiative, but it was not in line with the law.”

Critics have called the ama Panya-Panya an ANC election ploy, citing incidents of alleged brutality stemming from a lack of sufficient training.

Meanwhile, Lesufi has defended the programme as a critical initiative in tackling crime in the province.

“The wardens continue to do the work and their role is absolutely critical and appreciated by communities where they patrol,” the Gauteng Provincial Government spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga told Newsday.

According to the she spokesperson for Justice and Constitutional Development Department in Gauteng, Terence Manase, the Premier’s office is working with SAPS and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to review the legal framework.

“The process, initiated by Premier Lesufi earlier this year, involves updating a 2002 notice to align with amendments in key traffic and transport legislation,” Monase said.

“Officials are analyzing relevant Acts to ensure legal certainty and proper alignment with the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s role, which includes setting training standards for wardens.”

Despite job creation, crime stats remain high, and experts question effectiveness. The program expands amid ongoing training and scrutiny, with similar models considered elsewhere.

The article has been updated to include comment from Manase and Mhlanga.