DA calls on Lesufi to address claims that Gauteng’s crime prevention warden unit is illegal

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to address claims that the province’s crime prevention warden unit is illegal and not sanctioned under the South African Police Service Act.

The legitimacy of the unit, known as AmaPanyaza, is again under the spotlight after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi told Parliament’s ad hoc committee that the crime fighters defy the rule of law.

Mkhwanazi made the claims last week to MPs probing his previous allegations against other senior police officials he says are behind the rot in the police force.

While he told MPs that Lesufi’s project had good intentions, he warned against its alleged non-compliance with the law.

The DA's Solly Msimanga said opposition parties were right to have reservations about the unit from the onset.

But speaking on the matter last week, Lesufi again denied any wrongdoing.

"I still want to understand how this matter came up and why it’s a problem and why the provincial commissioner of KZN is raising the matter of Gauteng. But it’s fine, we are ok. He’s raising an issue that has long been resolved; he’s probably not aware that the matter was resolved. The minister of justice issued a press release recognising the wardens as peace officers and that was almost two weeks ago."