An investigation by Daily Maverick has shown that Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi jumped the gun in appointing and deploying 6,000 Crime Prevention Wardens in Gauteng, known as the ‘amaPanyaza’. On the basis of evidence we have uncovered of abuse by some wardens and the responses of the premier and justice minister it appears the whole scheme is being implemented unlawfully. While effective crime prevention is vital, creating a whole new cadre of law enforcement officers, outside of the law, is wide open to abuse, and seems to be doing little to actually protect citizens from crime.