By: Natasha Archary
The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng, is calling for the province’s Premier, Panyaza Lesufi to be held accountable for the 6 000 Crime Prevention Wardens he hired.
DA Gauteng Leader, Solly Msimanga says the wardens are conducting illegal search and seizures without a warrant, physically assaulting residents, and conducting themselves as if they are above the law.
Not only has the DA been vocal about the exorbitant budget that was allocated for Lesufi’s wardens, but the opposition has also been critical of the lack of training the Premier’s “crime busters” have.
Msimanga says the wardens do not have any authority to conduct searches or raids and have questioned what jurisdiction they have.
“The DA in Gauteng demands answers from Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, regarding the haphazard, and lawless way his nearly R500 000 million Crime Warden are conducting themselves.
This follows after the emergence of reports that Crime Prevention Wardens (CPW) are conducting illegal search and seizures, physically assaulting residents, and acting in contravention of the law. The DA is therefore demanding that Premier Lesufi is held to account.
There has been significant worry and pushback since the inception of the CPW programme. We have, amongst other things, raised worries that the expanded budget for these 6000 poorly trained will be a waste of money. These fears have now realised in examples of them acting in contravention of the law.
It is unacceptable that individuals who are meant to keep citizens in the province safe, are contributing to their fear. Residents already fear the South African Police Service (SAPS), as they so often act with brutality, they do not need to fear the additional so-called “Crime Prevention Wardens” Panyaza put together.
It has now been established that these wardens do not fall under SAPS, nor do they fall under the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).
So, if their wrongdoings are to be reported directly to the Gauteng Province, where Lesufi is the Premier – will anything come of these allegations?”
The DA is demanding that Lesufi answers for the following:
- What exactly do these people do?
- What legal standing do they have?
- Under which law do they operate?
- Who will be held responsible for the lawsuits that follow their illegal operations?
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