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Gauteng Premier Defends AmaPanyaza Initiative, Slams SAPS for Rejection

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has come to the defense of the AmaPanyaza initiative, a police visibility program launched in 2023 under his Nasi Ispani initiative. Lesufi insists the program was formed out of frustration with the South African Police Service's (SAPS) refusal to bolster the province's stretched policing ranks. Despite the initiative being deemed illegal and dissolved last week, Lesufi maintains it was well-intentioned and legally defensible, aimed at strengthening police visibility and protecting communities.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi launched the AmaPanyaza initiative in 2023 under his Nasi Ispani initiative, aiming to improve street-level policing and visibility in high-crime communities.
  • Lesufi proposed a plan to fund and deploy 10,000 additional police officers in Gauteng, fully paid for by the provincial government, but the SAPS rejected the offer citing legal and budgetary restrictions.
  • The AmaPanyaza program was found to be illegal and was dissolved last week, despite Lesufi maintaining it was well-intentioned and legally defensible.
  • Lesufi claimed he had consulted with the SAPS before implementation and aimed to strengthen police visibility and protect communities.
  • The program was launched with R8 billion allocated for salaries, uniforms, cars, and overtime for 10,000 police officers.
  • Gauteng crime remains one of the province's most urgent challenges, according to Lesufi.

Statistics:

  • 10,000 additional police officers were proposed to be funded and deployed in Gauteng by the provincial government.
  • R8 billion was allocated for salaries, uniforms, cars, and overtime for 10,000 police officers.
  • The AmaPanyaza initiative was launched in 2023 for improving street-level policing and visibility in high-crime communities.

Sources:

  • "Gauteng Premier Defends AmaPanyaza Initiative, Slams SAPS for Rejection" (702, on Thursday night)
  • "AmaPanyaza Launch Highlights Worrying Lack of Trust in SAPS – DA" (City Press, 2023)
  • "Gauteng Premier's Unlawful AmaPanyaza Initiative is an Embarrassment" (DA Press Release, 2023)
  • "Lesufi's Ten-Fold Plan to Boost Gauteng's Private Sector" (Sunday Independent, 2023)

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