Gauteng EFF says it won't disband crime prevention wardens if it comes to power

JOHANNESBURG - The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng said it would not disband the province's crime prevention wardens should it get into government.

This is despite the party's reservations of the so-called peace officers, which the red berets describe as Premier Panyaza Lesufi's electioneering gimmick.

Lefusi employed about 7,000 young people as part an eleborate employment programme in the province.

Speaking on the sidelines of the State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Monday, EFF Gauteng chairperson, Nkululeko Dunga, said that his party supported the idea of a provincial crime fighting unit.

"They are not trained or they are poorly trained in terms of the core functions, in terms of legislature and framework, when you look at crime prevention in general, so one would be obviously to vet and check if the process was thorough in terms of appointments and once we have satisfied ourselves, we take them to vigorous training and ensure they conform to basics of what the legislation would have to offer."