EDITORIAL | Safer streets, job opportunities are key issues for Gautengers as elections loom

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, who delivered the final state of the province address (Sopa) on Monday night, knows very well that his comeback as the province’s number one citizen isn't guaranteed.

Some polls place ANC’s electoral fortunes in the country’s economic hub to be hovering at about 35%, a possible embarrassing 15% drop from 2019’s 50%, which ensured the party secured the province without help from a coalition partner.

Lesufi knows that effectively fighting crime, creating jobs and the perception of creating jobs holds the key to secure his return, whether as an outright majority winner or most likely as a senior partner in a coalition with other smaller parties.

Crime has also been listed as an issue that affects all Gautengers, irrespective of where they live.

With the lack of jobs contributing to the rising crime-rate, as people often find illegal ways to ensure they don’t go to bed on an empty stomach, Lesufi’s sweet talking may mean little as elections loom.

It was no surprise that jobs and crime featured prominently in Lesufi’s Sopa as he also promised more jobs and reflected on what crime-fighting initiatives have achieved.

Census 2022 figures have shown that people still flock to Gauteng in numbers, seeking greener pastures with the province’s population now at more than 15 million, making it the country’s most populous.

The reason thousands flock to Gauteng is to seek jobs or better opportunities in general, and Lesufi’s efforts in the 16 months he has been premier deservedly included an attempt to address youth unemployment and to fight crime.

The crime wardens, now commonly known as Amapanyaza, were previously unemployed and now 6,000 of them have a pay cheque at the end of the month. Lesufi’s crime-fighting initiative has led to the creation of job opportunities that did not exist before.

We will leave no stone unturned in attending to crime and we will release resources at our disposal to do that. It is exciting to inform you that, in addition to the 6,000 crime prevention wardens already on-board and making a significant impact.

—  Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi

“When I addressed this house almost 12 months ago, there were 7,000 young people that were unemployed. There were 7,000 young people that were despondent ... were relying on social grants. There were 7,000 young people that felt the future is doomed, and that was the end of them. I am proud to say this 7,000 is here in this house as [members of] law enforcement agencies,” Panyaza said on Monday night.

Even last week, at the ANC’s provincial Lekgotla in Ekurhuleni, Lesufi said Gauteng, under his tenure, had become a leader in legitimate employment creation as he announced that another 3,000 crime warden posts would be filled soon.

“We will leave no stone unturned in attending to crime, and we will release resources at our disposal to do that. It is exciting to inform you that, in addition to the 6,000 crime prevention wardens already on-board and making a significant impact, we will further train about 3,000 additional young people, to be deployed, to fight crime,” Lesufi said.

There has been concerns raised by Lesufi’s opponents that the majority of those employed as crime wardens are ANC members and that this was a cadre-benefit exercise.

We hope all deserving young citizens of Gauteng, irrespective of political affiliation, get given a fair opportunity to contest and compete for the upcoming crime warden jobs, especially those with a passion for fighting crime.

In a province of 15.1 million, with the majority of the youth unemployed as they have been looking for non-existent opportunities — 9,000 new jobs represents a tiny drop in an ocean.

Though no new jobs were created with Lesufi’s Nasi Ispani initiative that was launched amid fanfare where available vacancies were creatively packaged in a way that drove interest, even from those who had given up looking for jobs.

All existing Gauteng government vacancies were grouped together in a single portal with its own website, which managed to create fresh enthusiasm and excitement among jobseekers resulting in millions applying.

Lesufi spoke about 8,400 CCTV cameras that are being rolled out across the province in partnership with private companies, including Business Unity SA. He also spoke about how the province has added three helicopters to the air wing of the police to ensure quicker reaction.

Another initiative he raved about included the GPG Panic Button app that people, in the face of crime, can use to alert law enforcement agencies who can respond.

If people still don't feel safe walking the streets and many have to pay monthly premiums to armed response security firms to protect their families, whatever Lesufi says may seem like gibberish.

Lesufi is a charmer, but it would take more than just charm for Gautengers to see the better Gauteng he’s desperately trying to sell.

It’s a fact that crime keeps people locked inside their homes, even against their wishes, while the streets are filled with desperate people looking for jobs.