Lesufi’s Crime Wardens missing as gang violence in Riverlea continues

21 November 2023

This week, Residents of Riverlea in Johannesburg have once again been relegated to hiding in their homes, as gang related violence has brought the community to boiling point.

This morning a senior gang leader in the Riverlea area of Johannesburg was gunned down outside a gym. He was shot in the head five times.

Two days ago, to young people were gunned down where they sat on the side of the road.

The situation is clearly out of control. Neither premier Lesufi, nor his so-called crime wardens have the capacity or dedication to tackle these problems head on.

In knowing that the problems stretch further and deeper than his acumen would allow him to solve, DA called for a commission of enquiry to be established in November of 2022. This commission would have been able to do an in-depth investigation into the gang violence in the area, but as that commission never saw the light of day, no effective preventative measures have been developed or implemented – nor will they be.

It is worth noting that this is the very same community who has been promised panic buttons, CCTV cameras to monitor their safety, and increased safety in the area because of the premier’s crime wardens.

Despite writing to the MEC for Community Safety in the province and the Provincial Police Commissioner urging intervention, nothing has changed for the residents of Riverlea.

The truth is that Premier Lesufi’s incompetence in running Gauteng is catching up with him. Where he goes, chaos follows, and we deserve better. Gauteng deserves a government that protects its residents.

We call on premier Lesufi to urgently establish an independent commission of enquiry into the rampant gang violence in Gauteng. Bloodshed will remain at the order of the day until serious measures are taken to curb it.

Issued by Solly Msimanga, DA Gauteng Premier Candidate, 21 November 2023