Premier Lesufi must end Amapanyaza's brutality
The Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens better known as 'AmaPanyaza' are in the spotlight over alleged brutality.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi must take decisive action to ensure that Crime Prevention Wardens, also known as Amapanyaza, face consequences for instilling fear and wreaking havoc across Gauteng communities.
A recent incident has surfaced on social media, showing wardens violently kicking a young and defenceless homeless man.
This is not an isolated incident; last year, crime wardens were seen assaulting a woman without provocation.
The DA Gauteng has consistently raised concerns about the Amapanyazas' lack of training, oversight, and professional management.
These incidents validate our worries and highlight the lack of discipline and compassion within their ranks.
Premier Lesufi must stop flooding our communities with wardens who lack training and management but ride around town in fancy BMWs, as they have failed to show a real reduction in crime and become a law unto themselves.
Premier Lesufi must tell us how many formal complaints have been lodged against the Amapanyaza since the inception of this programme and how many of these have led to prosecutions.
The people of Gauteng deserve to know. The DA-led Gauteng provincial government will mandate de-escalation training for all wardens, establish clear operating rules to outline the scope and limits of warden authority, and conduct monthly performance reports to assess their efficacy.
Where wardens cause disturbance, we will investigate and prosecute anyone involved.
Michael Sun, DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Community Safety
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
16 hours ago
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Zille for Joburg mayor? Batohi clarifies NPA claims
Here's your daily news update for 8 June 2025. An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. In today's news update, DA's Helen Zille is considering contesting to become the next Joburg mayor, while Gerda Steyn clinched her fourth Comrades Marathon win. Additionally, NDPP Shamila Batohi was reportedly summoned to a meeting on Friday. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. ActionSA-ANC slams Zille's plans for Joburg: 'They do not believe in black excellence' Democratic Alliance (DA) federal chairperson Helen Zille. Picture: Nigel Sibanda ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba said he is shocked by Helen Zille's dream to become the next mayor of Johannesburg. The DA's federal council chairperson is considering putting her hand up to become mayor of the City of Johannesburg after next year's local government elections. Continue reading here 'It changes me': Emotional Gerda Steyn delighted with fourth Comrades win Gerda Steyn winning the women's race at last year's Comrades Marathon. Picture: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images Though spectators might have become accustomed to Gerda Steyn winning ultra-marathons, the 35-year-old runner says she still feels an overwhelming sense of emotion when she triumphs in big races. Steyn picked up her fourth victory at the Comrades Marathon in Durban on Sunday. Continue reading here Batohi clarifies NPA infiltration claims to justice minister amid criticism. National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi. Picture: Gallo Images / Phill Magakoe National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi has come under scrutiny after alleging that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has been 'infiltrated' by rogue elements. Batohi made the claims during recent interviews this week although she denied any interference from the executive. Continue reading here City of Johannesburg councillor allegedly used municipality's BMW X3 for political activities in KZN, says DA The all-new BMW X3 in X50 guise. Picture: BMW The DA in Johannesburg is requesting an urgent investigation into the use of a city-owned luxury vehicle by one of the members of the Government of Local Unity (GLU) for party activities. The party claims that one of the members of the mayoral committee travelled to KwaZulu-Natal last weekend using the City's BMW X3. Continue reading here R6.4 billion for Polokwane Cllr Makoro Mosema John Mpe Executive Mayor of Polokwane Municipality on 25 January 2022 in Polokwane. Photo: Gallo Images/Philip Maeta The Limpopo's Polokwane municipality has tabled a pro-poor budget of R6.4 billion, but the municipality's dream of becoming a metro is marred by acute water challenges, involving billions of rands. Continue reading here Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Ramaphosa defends BEE | Batohi under fire | Woman awarded R580k after arrest
The Citizen
19 hours ago
- The Citizen
City of Johannesburg councillor allegedly used municipality's BMW X3 for political activities in KZN, says DA
A court ruling this year stripped most members of the mayoral committee of their bodyguards and luxury official vehicles. The DA in Johannesburg is requesting an urgent investigation into the use of a city-owned luxury vehicle by one of the members of the Government of Local Unity (GLU) for party activities. The party claims that one of the members of the mayoral committee travelled to KwaZulu-Natal last weekend using the City's BMW X3. This vehicle was part of the security detail for members of the mayoral committee before the South Gauteng High Court put an end to the City's controversial VIP Protection Policy. In a statement, DA shadow MMC for Public Safety, Solomon Maila, said the mayor should investigate if the implicated councillor is in contempt of court. 'The DA in Johannesburg has written to Executive Mayor Dada Morero to ensure that a full investigation is conducted into allegations that a member of his Mayoral Committee travelled to the eThekwini area in KwaZulu-Natal for party-political activities during the weekend of 30 May to 1 June 2025 using the City's official BMW without consent. 'The DA understands that this vehicle was procured as part of the City's implementation of the VIP Protection Policy that was declared unconstitutional and invalid Gauteng High Court on 2 January 2025,' he said. The municipality bank card is used for fuel Maila said whistleblowers had informed them that the BMW X3 had been refuelled twice over the weekend when it was in use at the ratepayers' expense. 'Which suggests that it travelled for more than 1000 km in that period. 'According to the DA's sources in the city, the First National Bank (FNB) card linked to the said vehicle was used for the refueling and the payment of tollgates to and from KwaZulu-Natal,' Maila said. He said this was an abuse of municipal resources if the allegations are true. 'These allegations point to a possible unlawful use of a motor vehicle without the necessary consent. If proven, these allegations would mean that the said MMC has also acted in contempt of the High Court, which is another criminal offence,' he said. The DA says it wants the mayor to investigate the movements of the vehicle between May 30 and June 1, 2025. ALSO READ: DA tables motion of no confidence in Johannesburg mayor and speaker 'Criminal charges must be laid' The DA also wants to know the identity and portfolio of the MMC who used the vehicle, as well as details about the driver and their role within the Department of Public Safety. 'The DA will not rest until there is full accountability. Criminal charges must be laid against the implicated MMC and every municipal official in the city who aided and abetted the MMC in the commission of these alleged criminal offences. 'The culture of criminal impunity in the city must be nipped in the bud,' he said. NOW READ: 'Joburg is in free fall' — Next month could be make or break for Mayor Dada Morero
TimesLIVE
19 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Justice in motion: transforming Gauteng's roads with intelligent number plates
On June 5, Gauteng achieved a historic milestone. Under the leadership of Premier Panyaza Lesufi, the Intelligent Number Plate (INP) System was officially launched, markinga bold new chapter in public governance. With crime prevention, economic growth and public trust at its core, this innovative solution reaffirms Gauteng's commitment to building a safer, smarter, and more inclusive future. This initiative isn't just about replacing metal plates with hi-tech alternatives; it's an ambitious leap towards modernising our transport systems and reclaiming the roads ofGauteng for the people. It reflects a shift in government culture from reactive to proactive, from transactional to transparent, from fragmented to united. Above all, this is a story of people and progress, a story of how innovation can restore trust, enable equity, and reaffirm Gauteng's place as a leader on the continent and beyond. Cracking down on crime with intelligent d esign Vehicle-related crime has long plagued Gauteng, undermining public confidence andleaving many feeling unsafe. True to the sentiments echoed by Lesufi at the historic launch; with more than 85% of serious crimes involving vehicles, many equipped with cloned or stolen plates, the need for a robust solution has never been greater. The INP System is Gauteng's direct, comprehensive response to this challenge. Each plate is embedded with tamper-evident features and unique forensic QR codes,linked to a digitised database, enabling real-time verification. For law enforcement, this is a game changer. Police can now track stolen or flagged vehicles instantaneously, verify registrations on the spot and co-ordinate more effectively with metro police, border agencies and other stakeholders. This is crime prevention through design. By embedding safeguards directly into the system, the government has transformed number plates into powerful tools for ensuringaccountability and justice. The INP System replaces guesswork with data, inefficiency with precision, and fear with confidence. Beyond technology, the system underscores a critical principle: safety thrives when we work together. Freight operators, taxi associations, community groups, and municipalities are all vital partners in making Gauteng's roads safer. Technology sets the framework, butcollective commitment brings it to life.
