COPE calls for Lesufi’s sacking amid Public Protector’s report

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The Congress of the People (COPE) has called for the quick removal of Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi following serious findings from the Public Protector’s report.

The report highlights the mismanagement and illegal deployment of the Crime Prevention Wardens, known as AmaPanyaza.

The report says that the Gauteng Department of Community Safety spent R450 million illegally.

This money was used for recruiting, training, and equipping about 6,000 wardens. They did all this without the needed legal approval.

The funds were used for accommodation, transport, uniforms, and even the purchase of nearly 200 luxury vehicles.

The public protector found that the appointment and deployment of these wardens were both irregular and unlawful.

COPE acting general secretary Eric Mohlapamaswi said that, despite this, premier Lesufi has kept defending the program.

He recently announced its disbandment due to rising controversy over the wardens’ legal status.

“This represents a gross misuse of public funds and a failure of leadership at the highest level. We demands that Premier Lesufi and his advisors take full responsibility for this wasteful spending. They should step down right away.

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“His actions have broken the trust of Gauteng residents. They have also put the jobs of 6,000 wardens at risk due to his mistakes.

“We call on the Gauteng provincial government to hire and place these wardens in real public safety roles. This will protect their jobs and make sure their skills are used in a legal and helpful way.

“Premier Lesufi must fall on his sword. He has disrespected the people of Gauteng by wasting R450 million on an unlawful project. He should personally repay this money to demonstrate accountability and integrity,” he remarked.

Public resources mismanagement

COPE further called on the provincial government to stop all spending on the AmaPanyaza project right away. They also want a full audit to find everyone involved in this serious mismanagement of public resources.

He added; “The people of Gauteng deserve honesty, transparency, and effective leadership — not unlawful political experiments disguised as crime-fighting initiatives.

“We fully supports the public protector’s findings. We will keep holding those in power accountable for their actions.”