Crime Prevention Wardens: VF Plus proposes way forward for AmaPanyaza

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) has proposed that the Gauteng government follow a transparent and legally sound process to deal with the province’s crime prevention wardens dilemma.

The party’s provincial leader, Jaco Mulder, said the VF Plus believes that the only way to safeguard the province against further legal uncertainty and costly litigation is to follow a transparent, legally sound process.

On Tuesday in the Gauteng Legislature, the party proposed a constitutional and sustainable solution to the current dilemma with the crime prevention wardens, otherwise known as AmaPanyaza.

In response to an oral question the party put to Lesufi – whether he would, in principle, support the possible establishment of a Gauteng Community Safety Support Act – the premier indicated that he welcomes the VF Plus's proposal and would consider it.

The proposed legislation aims to create a formal, legally entrenched Gauteng Community Safety Support Service within the Department of Community Safety that will facilitate crime prevention, public safety and law enforcement in a constitutional manner.

The VF Plus said it wanted to emphasise that this service should complement – not replace – the South African Police Service and the province’s existing metro policing services.

Clear, lawful mandate

“In this way, a clear, lawful mandate is created that aligns the current wardens’ activities with the Constitution, national legislation and the Bill of Rights,” said Mulder in a statement.

He said his party also asked whether the premier would support the “entire legislative process”, including public participation, portfolio committee oversight and strict legal scrutiny as prescribed by the Gauteng Legislature’s rules.

Lesufi, who survived a motion of no confidence tabled by the Democratic Alliance about a week ago, has said the crime wardens would be “repurposed”, with some being trained as traffic wardens. A protracted debate about the constitutionality or legality of the crime wardens initiative was settled a month ago when Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka ruled that the Gauteng government “misdirected itself” when establishing the AmaPanyaza.

The VF Plus said the current warden model is unsustainable, “legally vulnerable”, and creates false expectations for young people who are sent into dangerous situations without proper training or protection.

“The national government’s policy of centralism undermines and restricts provinces’ ability to act. A Gauteng Provincial Community Safety Support Act could serve as an example for other provinces of how to support the police in addressing their safety challenges. 

“The Freedom Front Plus is determined to drive the matter and find a solution that ensures safety, complies with constitutional requirements and genuinely restores public trust,” he said.