ACTIONSA has written to the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to investigate the crime prevention wardens' scheme.
The party said this following the declaration by Gauteng police commissioner Elias Mawela that the wardens were not allowed to complete tasks assigned to SAPS members.
ActionSA Gauteng chairman Funzi Ngobeni said for months, the party has remained skeptical and wary of the unlawfully established employment scheme, which has been led by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi along with the Provincial Department of Community Safety.
“We urge the SIU to probe the unit, which has hired and deployed individuals who have neither been vetted nor properly trained to handle dangerous situations, placing themselves and their communities at risk.
“Worse, they are not only a danger to themselves but to society as it’s been recently reported that since May, there have been 22 accidents involving the crime wardens,” he said.
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Ngobeni said they believe that with the continuation of this unlawful scheme, the premier has committed serious malpractice and maladministration in connection with the administration of state institutions, assets, and public money.
“A blind eye cannot be turned as the ruling government continues to use state resources to campaign and secure votes ahead of the upcoming general elections,” he said.
It hasn’t been a smooth ride for the Lesufi’s crime wardens (AmaPanyaza) since their deployment earlier in 2023.
The group has been under scrutiny with concerns about qualifications and the inadequacy of their training program.
Daily Maverick reported a whistleblower's claim that the training program was poorly managed and insufficient, raising questions about the wardens' readiness for a challenging environment.
AfriForum has also expressed concern about the lack of transparency in the recruitment and training procedures for Gauteng's Crime Prevention Wardens.
