Lesufi claims AmaPanyaza born out of desperation to protect residents

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has defended his controversial decision to establish the province’s AmaPanyaza peace wardens, stating that the initiative was motivated by an urgent need to combat rising crime rather than by political considerations.

"Our people are marked left, right and centre.

"I'm honestly of the strong view that the policing strategies that we have as a province, they're not only outdated, but criminals have advanced."

Lesufi says the province has already invested billions in law enforcement tools, including 8,000 CCTV cameras, drones, and helicopters, but lacks the manpower to respond quickly to crime.

He revealed that his initial plan to fund 10,000 additional police officers was blocked, prompting him to form the wardens as a 'force multiplier'.

"Unfortunately, South Africans are looking at the wardens alone, but let me tell you how it came. I went to the police and said, 'You don't have enough policemen or policewomen. You don't. Actually, townships are unpoliced. The suburbs are better off.'"

He maintained that the process to legalise the peace wardens began with the Justice and Police Ministries, and that 500 recruits were officially recognised as peace officers before bureaucratic delays stalled the rest.

The Public Protector later ruled the wardens were 'unlawfully and irregularly established', a finding Lesufi says stemmed from administrative technicalities rather than intent to break the law.

Dismissing claims that the initiative was politically motivated, Lesufi says his only mistake was moving too fast to protect citizens from rampant crime, gender-based violence and hijackings.

"The only thing that I am guilty of is that I am impatient. I am one person who does not want people who snore or sleep on the job. If I give myself a task, I go all out."

To listen to Lesufi in conversation with 702 and CapeTalk's Aubrey Masango, use the audio player below: