Lesufi’s Police Blunder Costs Gauteng Dear

Key Takeaways:

• Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s crime prevention wardens, also known as amaPanyaza, were launched in 2023 to fight crime, but ended up being a failed and costly initiative.
• The programme was marred by allegations of civilian assaults, extortion rackets, and abuse of power, with wardens having no proper training or legal authority to arrest.
• The Public Protector declared the operation unlawful and irregular, citing systemic failures in oversight, training, and management.
• The programme cost the provincial government over R1.5-billion, with no meaningful reduction in crime.
• Lesufi’s initiative is a warning about the risks of political populism and the importance of careful planning, legal foundation, and genuine community engagement.

Introduction to the Moegoe of the Year
The Moegoe of the Year award is given to the figure whose sheer foolishness or blundering defined the year. In this case, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi takes the top spot for his ill-fated crime prevention wardens, also known as amaPanyaza. Launched with great fanfare in early 2023, the programme was supposed to fight crime, patrol neighbourhoods, report suspicious activity, and restore a sense of safety. However, it quickly turned into a disaster, with thousands of mostly unemployed people recruited with promises of jobs and purpose, but with no proper training or legal authority to arrest.

The Failure of the Crime Prevention Wardens
The crime prevention wardens were supposed to be the solution to Gauteng’s soaring crime rates, but they ended up being more of a nuisance than a help. With little supervision, they overstepped their mandate, and allegations of civilian assaults, extortion rackets, and abuse of power soon surfaced. Communities cried foul as wardens harassed residents, raided shebeens and spaza shops, and pocketed goods under the pretence of "crime prevention". The programme’s operational chaos was made worse by a lack of legitimacy, with the Public Protector declaring the entire operation unlawful and irregular in October.

The Cost of the Programme
The financial cost of the programme was staggering, with the provincial government funneling over R1.5-billion into the initiative for salaries, uniforms, vehicles, office setups, and barely there training. Despite the massive investment, the programme failed to produce any meaningful reduction in crime, leaving Gauteng’s people vulnerable and disillusioned. The opposition and watchdog estimates show that the programme was an expensive white elephant, with no tangible benefits to show for the huge expenditure. Rather than admitting failure and scrapping the programme, Lesufi and his team proposed retraining the wardens as traffic police, a move that has been met with skepticism.

The Risks of Political Populism
Lesufi’s amaPanyaza initiative is a stark warning about the risks of political populism. The programme was launched with great fanfare, but with no careful planning, legal foundation, or genuine community engagement. The flashy launch and promises of jobs and purpose were meant to win over voters, but they ultimately ended up being empty promises. The programme’s failure is a reminder that policymakers and the public must be cautious of populists who make promises they cannot keep, especially when they are at the expense of taxpayers. The R1.5-billion spent on the programme could have been better spent on more effective and sustainable initiatives to reduce crime and improve community safety.

Conclusion and Warning to Voters
Lesufi and his failed project are a warning to voters to be cautious of populists who make promises they cannot keep. The Moegoe of the Year award is a reminder that foolishness and blundering can have serious consequences, especially when it comes to public policy and taxpayer money. As the 2025 runners-up show, there are others who are also perpetuating false narratives and trying to radicalize people for their causes. It is essential for voters to be informed, critical, and discerning, and to demand more from their leaders. By learning from the failures of the past, we can work towards creating a better future for all.