SANDF To Train Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens, Mzansi Uncertain of Move

• The Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens will be trained by the South African National Defence Force
• Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced the plan on X and his spokesperson clarified that the army is one of their trainers
• South Africans place no hope in the wardens, infamously known as AmaPanyaza, and their crime-fighting skills

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered elections, policy changes and politician-related news at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.

South Africans are suspicious of amaPanyaza's ability to fight crime after Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced that the Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens, known as AmaPanyaza, will receive training from the South African National Defence Force.

SANDF to train AmaPanyaza

According to IOL, Lesufi announced on X that AmaPanyaza will be handed over to the army for proper training. He added that he was not joking when he told the Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens they would fight crime.

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His spokesperson, Sizwe Pamla, claimed that the wardens receive training from different agencies, such as the Tshwane and Johannesburg Metro Police Departments. He pointed out that the army is just one of those that will train AmaPanyaza.

South Africans not confident in army training

Netizens on Facebook expressed their displeasure at Lesufi's words.

Jan Titi asked:

"I wonder where they were when water department members were shot."

Bakang Ramatlhodi wrote:

"I hope they don't harass drunks and weed sellers."

Mokwala Malefane added:

"The comrades are benefitting."

Dean Mohale was sarcastic:

"Only ANC members are allowed to be AmaPanyaza."

Jan Holtzhausen protested:

"The SANDF is not trained in crime prevention."

Pappylon Rollingstone exclaimed:

"They are running away from crime."

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Crime Prevention Wardens classed as Gauteng traffic police

In a similar article, Briefly News reported that the Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens were given the same status as provincial traffic officers.

Lesufi announced they would operate in the same capacity as Gauteng traffic officers. However, Wits Univerity Professor Anthoni Van Nieuwkerk opposed the crime prevention wardens and said the country does not need inexperienced, underqualified and under-capacitated people to fight crime.

He added that while it's not a bad idea, caution must be exercised in implementing it in the province and other parts of Mzansi.

Source: Briefly News