DA wants criminal charges laid against Lesufi for allegedly endangering lives of AmaPanyaza

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is seeking legal advice on whether criminal charges could be pursued against Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi for allegedly endangering the lives of the crime prevention wardens.

This comes after a report by the public protector on Wednesday found that the establishment of the unit was irregular.

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The report was released just hours after Lesufi announced the disbandment of the crime prevention wardens, saying they need to undergo further training.

At a media briefing in Johannesburg on Thursday, the DA in Gauteng confirmed that it had submitted a motion of no confidence against the premier.

Lesufi on Thursday acknowledged that his crime prevention wardens required further training.

"We swallowed our pride, and we are pulling them out and retraining them to be an additional resource to push back crime."

This admission came just a month after five wardens were shot and injured in what is believed to have been a gang attack.

DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga criticised Lesufi, saying it was reckless to deploy the wardens without proper training.

"We are talking to our lawyers. We are getting legal advice in terms of the possible criminal charges that can be opened here because we don’t think that spending R2 billion must become the end of it."

Lesufi has vowed that the wardens will be absorbed as traffic officers.