“Body shaming as dangerous as racism”: Panyaza Lesufi
There has been some concern over the physical health of Gauteng’s new crime-fighting unit.
The Gauteng provincial government spent almost R450-million on a new crime-busting unit made up of peace officers.
However, the new task force has also been ridiculed on social media for the physical appearance of some of its members.
Michelin Man also Made it 👀👀👀! pic.twitter.com/vaaIjhqLe8
— David Mogashoa (@DavidMogashoa) May 1, 2023
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi took to social media to warn people about the dangers of “body shaming”.
Body shaming and discrimination is as dangerous as racism and sexism. You can be somehow and still be capable to work. I’ve taken an extraordinary step to request the training session of Mahlatse Tseko a crime fighting volunteer who fought criminals for years volunteering https://t.co/Q8VK4uOheo pic.twitter.com/Zr5w3eOb6t
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) May 1, 2023
“Body shaming and discrimination is as dangerous as racism and sexism. You can be somehow and still be capable to work,” he said in a recent Tweet.
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“I’ve taken an extraordinary step to request the training session of Mahlatse Tseko a crime fighting volunteer who fought criminals for years volunteering.”
The outrage over the crime-fighting unit still continues among South Africans.
How does Panyaza Lesufi sleep at night knowing that he is taking innocent unemployed youth and exposing them to high levels of crime:
— 🇿🇦 iScathulo SePhara 👞 (@ISephara) May 1, 2023
without bullet proof vests
without tactical training
without handcuffs
without medical first aid training
& without properly fitting uniform?💔 pic.twitter.com/1d93zSSjOg
The R450-million budget for the unit was confirmed by Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, at a media briefing on the state of readiness for the pass-out parade of the newly recruited warders at the Gautrain Management Agency in Midrand on Friday.
"We have spent almost R450-million - it is for cars, accommodation, transport, (and) uniform,” she said.
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“They are fully kitted, as much as we are still to purchase other important things like the tools of the trade that we have to give them.”
The unit consists of crime prevention wardens responsible for patrol operations at ward level across Gauteng communities. They will do so by using e-policing solutions such as drones, CCTVs, high-tech vehicles, and helicopters to eliminate criminal elements in the province.
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