Latest news with #PanyazaLesufi
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
DA demands urgent action on illegal street racing in Joburg suburbs
"Innocent lives in Johannesburg's suburbs are being put at risk due to the 'reckless and illegal practice of street racing". Joburg residents are up in arms over illegal drag racing in several suburbs. Picture: iStock Joburg residents are up in arms over illegal racing in several suburbs, including Lenasia, Rosebank, Fourways, and Midrand, among other areas, which they say have become a nuisance and dangerous. The DA said that, due to the brazen antics of the drag racers, innocent lives in Johannesburg's suburbs are being put at risk because of the 'reckless and illegal practice of street racing.' 'Dangerous races' DA Gauteng spokesperson for Community Safety, Michael Sun, said the 'dangerous races' often occur in the early morning. 'They transform quiet suburban streets into hazardous racetracks. The DA in Gauteng has been inundated with complaints from concerned residents, and we demand that Premier Panyaza Lesufi urgently intervene and halt this alarming trend'. Tragedy Sun shared details of a tragic incident that occurred on July 12, 2025 at about 5:30am, on Jan Smuts Avenue in Rosebank. 'Reports indicate that three vehicles were racing on the wrong side of the road when they collided. One of the racers died at the scene. Tragically, an innocent Uber driver was also struck head-on and lost his life. 'The occupants of the other two racing vehicles fled the scene, leaving behind a devastating aftermath,' Sun said. ALSO READ: Illegal drag race claims one life, leaves several injured Not isolated Sun added that the incident is not an isolated incident. 'Every weekend morning, residents along Cedar Road in Fourways are jolted awake by the deafening roar of modified engines and motorbikes speeding through their neighbourhood. 'On 13 July 2025, yet another incident was reported on Allandale Road in Midrand. At approximately 8:50 am, Ward Councillor Annette Deppe witnessed a group of six or seven high-powered vehicles racing down the public road as if it were a private speedway,' Sun said. ALSO READ: WATCH: Cops investigating after Nigerian rapper crashes R3m McLaren 570S in Sea Point Proactive action Sun claims that the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and the South African Police Service (Saps) are not doing enough to stop the illegal drag racers or arrest the drivers 'This sheer lack of service delivery is particularly concerning, as reckless driving is a criminal offence under the National Road Traffic Act. Penalties for this offence can range from fines and imprisonment to the suspension or revocation of a driver's license in severe cases. 'The DA Gauteng has engaged the Chief of JMPD and relevant Saps Station Commanders to demand urgent intervention. Our communities cannot become battlegrounds for ego-fuelled speed chases,' Sun said. Safe space Sun added that his party will be tabling questions to Lesufi in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to determine how many illegal racing incidents were reported in the past five years, how many people were killed, and whether gangs or drugs were involved. 'A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would ensure that both the JMPD and Saps fully exercise their constitutionally guaranteed powers to curb the scourge of illegal racing'. Sun said the DA would also explore the creation or support of safe, regulated facilities where motor enthusiasts can enjoy their sport without endangering the lives of others. ALSO READ: F1 in SA will be 'catalyst' for uplifting motorsport, McKenzie says
IOL News
18-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi urges compassion over confrontation in immigration crisis
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has urged citizens to reconsider their approach to the nation's immigration crisis, particularly regarding access to healthcare services. Image: Gauteng Gov/X Chasing away illegal immigrants from hospitals, clinics, and other government institutions will not help resolve the illegal immigration crisis South Africa is facing. This is according to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, who called on Operation Dudula Movement and other groups manning hospital and clinic entrances in a bid to stop alleged undocumented immigrants from accessing healthcare, to refrain from this approach. On Thursday, scores of Operation Dudula Movement members in Durban and Johannesburg marched to the respective head offices of the South African Human Rights Commission against NGOs, such as Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI), the Helen Suzman Foundation, and other organisations, who are being accused of protecting undocumented foreign nationals at the expense of poor South Africans. Over the past few months, March in March and Operation Dudula members have embarked on a nationwide campaign to stop immigrants from accessing healthcare services in clinics and hospitals across the country, sparking outrage and widespread condemnation from the National Department of Health and other sectors of society. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Reacting to the widespread campaign, SERI and Abahlali Basemjondolo called out the actions of Operation Dudula, saying the movement's anger is misdirected. The comments come after Operation Dudula staged a protest outside SERI offices in Braamfontein on Thursday, accusing the institute of protecting undocumented immigrants. While speaking to SABC News on Thursday, Lesufi acknowledged that the issue of immigration in the country, especially in Gauteng, had reached crisis level. He, however, cautioned against South Africans taking the law into their hands, saying this approach is not helping with the current crisis. "I am of the strong view that we have either mismanaged or delayed dealing with the issue of undocumented immigrants. However, I do not believe we can resolve this by closing clinics or chasing people away. We need to dive deep into the problems. We, as a country, need to respond to this problem," he stated. In a statement, the SAHRC said it was 'deeply concerned by reports of healthcare facilities that deny treatment to individuals based on nationality or documentation status. Such practices are not only unethical and unlawful but also inconsistent with South Africa's obligations under both domestic and international human rights law'. Lesufi indicated that the government has failed to address the challenges that have led South Africans and civil society to chase away those deemed illegal immigrants. "I do not think we have had the necessary energy on this particular matter. This is a serious problem. Gauteng, we are the bearers of the huge numbers, because of our economic position. But to think that we can resolve this by chasing people away from clinics and hospitals, I do not think that is the correct approach. This is merely a symptom, and we need to dig deeper into the problem and attend to it. As a province, we have identified this as a key problem because it affects our infrastructure. Unfortunately, it also affects, in some instances, some elements of crime as well," he said.
Eyewitness News
17-07-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Lesufi announces new HODs in administrative shake-up of Gauteng govt
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has made some administrative changes to his government, with some heads of departments fired for underperformance and failing lifestyle audits. Lesufi announced the appointments of new HODs for a number of departments during a provincial legislature sitting on Thursday morning. The departments of e-gov, infrastructure, sports, health, social development and education now have new HODs. While three heads of department were fired and others resigned from the provincial government, some were moved to other portfolios. Thirty-seven percent of high-ranking officials in the Gauteng government failed their lifestyle audits, which were conducted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). Moreover, an internal assessment found that some heads of department were at the centre of mediocre service delivery and questionable payments The province's ethics advisory committee then recommended that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi crack the whip on incompetent senior officials. "In the last few months, we witnessed displeasing acts of under expenditures to the tune of R1.8 billion, senior members failing lifestyle audits, and underperformance by some departments. We taken a decision to reset government." Albert Chanee will now head the provincial education department, which a forensic report revealed had the highest number of employees accused of unethical conduct.
News24
10-07-2025
- Politics
- News24
Gauteng DA urges Lesufi to cooperate with probe into Mkhwanazi's drug cartel allegations
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has been urged to commit to testifying in any investigation or inquiry, as the leader of government in the province.
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Crime continues to cripple Gauteng's economy under Premier Lesufi's watch
Crime in Gauteng has reached a tipping point. It is no longer a matter of individual safety or community concern, it has become an economic emergency that demands immediate, decisive action. The statistics paint a grim picture of a province under siege, where businesses are forced to choose between growth and survival and where the foundation of our economic prosperity is being systematically eroded. Despite slight drops in serious crimes such as murder and sexual offences, Gauteng remains the epicentre of crime in the country. The lived reality of Gauteng residents is undeniable. According to the World Bank's "Safety First" 2023 report, crime costs South Africa's economy approximately 10% of its GDP annually- a staggering R700 billion. This conservative estimate represents not just numbers on a spreadsheet, but real businesses closing their doors, lost investment opportunities, real jobs disappearing, and real families losing their livelihoods. Gauteng recorded 1,439 murders in the fourth quarter alone and contributed 25.1% to the national murder figure. Rape, sexual offences and sexual assault also remained high, accounting for the second-highest statistics in the country. These figures represent more than crime statistics; they reflect a province where economic activity is being strangled by criminal elements who operate with alarming impunity. The Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) 2023/2024 Quality of Life Survey reveals the true extent of our crisis. The percentage of respondents who reported being victims of crime in the past year increased from 19% in 2020/21 to 21% in 2023/24. More alarming still, the percentage of respondents who feel that the crime situation is worsening increased by 5%, from 43% in 2020/21 to 48% in 2023/24. With the overall increase in crime in Gauteng, satisfaction with safety and security services has plummeted to 23% in 2023/24, down from 27% in 2020/21. Crime is now the most frequently cited problem, named by 36% of respondents in the latest survey, up from previously 32%. This represents a community living in fear, where basic freedoms have been surrendered to criminal elements. These statistics reflect a province that continues to be haunted by serious crimes and raises questions about the efficiency of the crime prevention measures used to fight crime. Despite this reality, Premier Panyaza Lesufi continues to boast about his crime prevention measures, including the Crime Wardens known as Amapanyaza, which are supposedly making Gauteng safe for its residents. The truth, however, is that Gauteng continues to fail to apply the basics of policing, and until this is fixed, the province will remain a crime hub. The impact of crime on businesses is at catastrophic levels. Small and medium enterprises, which are the backbone of our economy, are being systematically destroyed because of high crime levels. Many business owners who have experienced crime are unwilling to invest in growth or expansion. Instead of channelling resources into productive ventures that create jobs and generate wealth, they are forced to divert funds into security measures to protect their existing operations. Research data reveals a troubling pattern; businesses in informal settlements, townships, and high-crime areas are most reluctant to invest due to crime. Those who face multiple severe incidents often have no choice but to close entirely. Between 1 April 2024 and the end of February this year, infrastructure vandalism and theft have cost Eskom approximately R221 million. Criminals target essential infrastructure such as mini-substations, pylons, and transformers, disrupting electricity supply and posing safety risks. The ripple effects extend throughout the economy as businesses struggle with power outages and communication disruptions that can paralyse operations for days or weeks. As the World Bank report noted, if businesses could redirect even a portion of their security spending toward productive investments, South Africa's growth potential could increase by about one percentage point. This represents thousands of jobs and billions in economic activity that we are currently losing to criminal elements. Crime creates a vicious cycle that becomes increasingly difficult to break. High youth unemployment, which hovers around 50%, makes young people susceptible to both perpetrating and becoming victims of crime. The lack of economic opportunities drives criminal activity, which in turn destroys the businesses that could provide employment. The provincial government's recognition of crime as a "significant impediment to economic growth" is welcome, but recognition alone is insufficient. The planned budget increases for the Department of Community Safety represent a step in the right direction, however, the scope and scale of intervention demands far more comprehensive action. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has consistently highlighted concerns about the condition and resource allocation at police stations across the province, citing issues like dilapidated infrastructure, inadequate equipment, and staff shortages. Recent DA oversight visits to police stations in areas like Katlehong and Zonkizizwe have exposed the crisis facing our policing infrastructure. Police stations without basic amenities like water cannot function effectively, making it nearly impossible for officers to provide adequate support to communities under siege. The DA Gauteng has put forward concrete proposals that deserve serious consideration. Our call for devolved policing powers represents a fundamental shift toward localised, responsive law enforcement. Our emphasis on enhanced crime intelligence and community partnerships offers a more agile approach to crime prevention than the current centralised system that has demonstrably failed to protect Gauteng's residents and businesses. Enhanced partnerships between law enforcement and business communities, creating integrated security networks that make crime more difficult and less profitable are desperately needed. The private sector already spends billions on security; this investment should be coordinated with public safety efforts for maximum impact. The time for half-measures and political rhetoric has passed. Gauteng needs a comprehensive crime-fighting strategy that addresses both immediate security concerns and underlying socioeconomic factors. This means investing in policing infrastructure and personnel, with properly resourced police stations that can function as effective community safety hubs. We cannot expect officers to combat sophisticated criminal networks while working from facilities that lack basic utilities and resources. Gauteng needs a proactive, well-resourced police service that can track, intercept, and deter crime in identified hotspots in our underserved communities. We need targeted economic development programmes that provide alternatives to criminal activity, particularly for young people in high-crime areas. The correlation between unemployment, inequality, and crime is well-established, we must, therefore, attack the root causes, not just the symptoms. Every day that crime continues to ravage our province, we lose irreplaceable economic opportunities. The R700 billion annual cost of crime represents more than enough resources to fund massive infrastructure projects, education initiatives, and job creation programmes. Instead, these resources are being transferred from productive economic actors to criminal elements who contribute nothing to society while destroying everything they touch. The choice is clear. We either act decisively now or we watch as crime continues to strangle the economic life out of our province. The statistics paint a clear picture; the costs are mounting, and time is running out. Our economy, communities, and future depend on getting this right.
