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[File image]: Crime Prevention Wardens vehicle.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has raised questions on whether the newly regularised crime wardens – commonly known as AmaPanyaza are adequately trained to deal with law enforcement.
This follows Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Mamoloko Kubayi’s announcement on Friday that government had sought a legal framework to regularise them, as the Public Protector had instructed.
Executive Director at OUTA Stephanie Fick says, “The question is- is this particular idea of the premier the thing that we need in communities, and this is where I have question marks. So, it’s good that they have now put the procedure in place, to make them more legitimate- given them some powers. I have read in the government gazette, they can arrest if an offence is committed in their presence. But then, I’m worried if they are unable to do what they’re supposed to do, whether it’s age, whether it’s training- training is so very important. So, then the question remains- why did we go down this road?”
Related video| AmaPanyaza officially declared as peace officers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj8ihLmwWyk
