Africa-Press – South-Africa. Taking a cue from Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s playbook, Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda plans to employ 2 000 wardens to help deal with rising crime in Johannesburg.
He was delivering his maiden State of the City Address on Tuesday, which was disrupted by opposition party members who heckled the mayor as he blamed the former DA-led coalition government for the dire financial position the City found itself.
“When we returned to government in January 2023, we found a bankrupt City,” Gwamanda said.
A DA councillor shouted in response: “We’ve never heard of that”.
Gwamanda giggled throughout the heckling and paused several times to refocus.
The mayor is part of a coalition government that includes the EFF and ANC.
While he acknowledged that the number was low, he said an effort was being made.
“To tackle high crime levels, the public safety portfolio is dedicated to reducing crime. A reimagined Joburg is one where residents feel safe and protected at all times, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or dress code, and regardless of the levels of security.
The mayor said:
He assured that he would not let the city fall victim to criminals.
The premier gave the same motivation for spending millions of rands to recruit crime-busting wardens.
In period of two months, Lesufi’s government employed close to 4 000 people, who were given uniforms and fast German cars to help curb crime in communities.
Gwamanda added: “We need a firm hand and silence the guns in our communities. We will restore the rule of law in the inner City.”
Another solution he offered was access of 5 000 CCTV cameras for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department.
In addition, he said, the City would make an effort to focus on job creation because, in his view, there is a link between crime and unemployment.
He said small businesses should be supported and an environment should be created where they can create job opportunities.
“We’re determined to create an enabling environment. We will be contributing to the creation of job opportunities for the youth. We need to provide access to funding and build a link between government, businesses and communities,” Gwamanda said.
The mayor added that he would also continue to tackle hijacked buildings.
He spent time acknowledging some of the challenges the metro faces and said he was determined to help sort out electricity and water issues.
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