EFF Denounces Gauteng's 'amaPanyaza' as Ineffectual Amid Rising Crime Rates

Johannesburg – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), South Africa's leftist political party, has voiced serious concerns over the spike in crime rates revealed in the latest quarterly statistics for 2023. The data, made public by Police Minister Bheki Cele, presents a troubling increase across diverse crime categories, signaling a distressing downturn in national security and public safety. Despite efforts to bolster numbers, the EFF argues that the government is losing ground in its war against crime, with the province of Gauteng being of primary concern.

The alarming elevation of crime across South Africa comes in the wake of increased emphasis on private security measures, a trend that the EFF finds particularly worrying. Naledi Chirwa-Mpungose, a leading voice of the EFF, highlights the murder rate which has currently peaked at its highest in two decades. Chirwa-Mpungose points to the emboldening of criminals by a system that, due to its inadequacies, inadvertently grants them immunity and the ease to evade repercussions. The crumbling public police force, according to the EFF, lacks the essential capacity to deter or combat the surging crime wave.

Adding to the party's apprehensions is the initiative by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, dubbed 'amaPanyaza'. The local crime wardens are framed by Chirwa-Mpungose as nothing more than a fleeting scheme deployed in the service of election campaigning rather than a substantive measure to curb the crime epidemic. Lacking in both training and legislative backing, 'amaPanyaza' are viewed by the EFF as an inadequate response to the formidable challenges faced by the public policing infrastructure which is reportedly deteriorating each day.

In its statement, the EFF poignantly critiques the superficiality of the 'amaPanyaza' project, emphasizing the pressing need for genuine, well-resourced, and sustainably implemented strategies to reverse the declining public safety standards. With the integrity of South Africa's security measures at stake, the call from the EFF resounds for accountable, effective, and transparent interventions that can restore public faith and deliver real protection against criminal activities.

The initial deployment of 'amaPanyaza', while greeted with some support for its intention to address burgeoning crime rates, must be scrutinized for its efficacy and longevity against the deeply rooted issues within the policing system. The commitment to law enforcement and public security, the EFF suggests, cannot be met by stopgap solutions or through reliance on untrained wardens, rendering 'amaPanyaza' as at best a temporary salve, and at worst a misdirection from systemic reforms that are critical for long-term improvements.

In closing, the EFF's response to the public safety crisis is clear: attention must be refocused on empowering and reforming the police force, ensuring it is equipped with the resources, training, and accountability required to safeguard citizens and enforce the law effectively across South Africa.