Gauteng’s “Amapanyaza” — From Crime‑Fighters to Traffic Wardens: A Scathing Report Exposes a R1.2 Billion Blunder

Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s Crime Prevention Wardens known as Amapanyaza.

By Mpho Dube, Editor‑in‑Chief, The  Azanian

In a damning indictment that reads like a thriller, the Public Protector’s report has ripped the veil off Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s Crime Prevention Wardens (CPW) programme, branding its establishment, appointment and deployment irregular, unlawful and unconstitutional.

The investigation, sparked by advocate Paul Hoffman’s complaint, found that the Gauteng Department of Community Safety acted without any empowering legal framework, turning a well‑intended safety initiative into a textbook case of maladministration.

The story begins in July 2022, when Lesufi announced an ambitious plan to recruit 6 000 young “wardens” to bolster visible policing in townships and informal settlements.

The first batch was advertised in November 2022, training kicked off in February 2023, and by May 2023 the wardens were already embedded in SAPS stations, joining over 51 000 police operations—from roadblocks to high‑risk arrests—despite having no clear legal mandate.

The department even tried to get them designated as peace officers under Section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Act, but the Department of Justice rejected the application because there was no supporting legislation to back it up.

Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka pulled no punches: the wardens were not properly appointed, their powers were undefined, and their deployment was a constitutional breach. The report cites violations of Section 41(1)(f) and (g) of the Constitution, which forbid one sphere of government from assuming powers belonging to another, and notes that the wardens could not lawfully conduct policing duties. The DA called it a “damning indictment” of Lesufi’s leadership, while ActionSA warned it was a R1.2 billion waste on untrained officers who caused chaos.

Now the provincial government is scrambling. Premier Lesufi has announced a phased disbandment over the next 36 months, with the wardens to be retrained as traffic officers under the National Road Traffic Act. The Public Protector’s remedial action demands:

- Premier Lesufi to submit an action plan within 30 days and corrective measures within 180 days.

- Minister of Police and National Commissioner to assist the province in aligning the wardens’ status with the law.

- MEC for Community Safety to put measures in place to prevent further delays and protect the public fiscus.

Critics, including the EFF, slam the programme as a political vanity project, calling for accountability and even Lesufi’s resignation. Senior police officials, like Lt‑Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, have publicly warned that the wardens’ illegal status could undermine law enforcement, while civil society groups demand an independent audit, transparent timelines and community involvement in redesigning the unit.

The saga has become a cautionary tale of good intentions gone awry, highlighting the perils of rushed governance and the importance of constitutional checks. As Gauteng’s residents watch the drama unfold, the question remains: will the province finally deliver lawful, well‑trained officers, or will the “Amapanyaza” legacy be remembered as a costly misstep?