Cape Town – Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has assured members of the controversial AmaPanyaza crime prevention unit that their jobs are safe, despite a Public Protector report declaring their establishment irregular.
Speaking to the wardens in Johannesburg, Lesufi dismissed rumours of their disbandment and vowed continued support, praising their efforts in improving safety in communities.
He reiterated that the wardens would be repurposed and trained over three years to become Gauteng Traffic Police officers.
“Where you’re going to die, I’m going to die with you. I’ll never abandon you because [of] the relationship that I have with you.
“Because the relationship that I have with you is not the relationship of friendship… It’s a relationship to clean our province against criminals,” he said.
[WATCH]: Today Premier Panyaza @Lesufi met with the Crime Traffic Wardens following their operational repositioning. The Premier has expressed his gratitude at the demonstrable efforts by the traffic wardens. #GautengAtWork pic.twitter.com/qv0DNPh0Zt
— Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) November 2, 2025
He added: “I’m proud today that the CBD of Johannesburg was a no-go area. People couldn’t even move speaking on their phones.
“Today, they can do so freely because of your hard work. I’m proud today.
“Those that have stolen cars running away from law enforcement agencies, they found you waiting for them in your deployment. You took those cars and gave them back to the rightful owners.”
“I’m proud today that those who were operating illegal scrapyards they’ve shut down those scrapyards because of your presence.
“But what makes me more proud about you is that you don’t have guns, but you’ve taken guns from those who have illegal guns.”
Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka’s investigation found that the Gauteng government launched AmaPanyaza in 2023 without proper legal authority to recruit or deploy the more than 8,900 wardens, who participated in over 51,000 police operations.
WATCH | Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka says the Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens, known as Amapanyaza, were established not in line with the applicable legislation. pic.twitter.com/dvU6ROMu6q
— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 22, 2025
While the wardens have since been reclassified as traffic wardens and granted peace officer status, they cannot yet exercise full powers or carry firearms until certified by SAPS.
The initiative has faced financial scrutiny, with hundreds of millions of rands allocated for vehicles, uniforms, training, and equipment, including helicopters and drones.
The DA has since filed a motion of no confidence in Lesufi, citing the Public Protector’s findings.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
