Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has condemned an incident of body shaming after a photo of Tseko Mahlatsi, a crime prevention warden (CPW) from Boipatong, Vanderbijlpark, trended as social media users criticised his weight.

One such user took to Twitter to question Mahlatsi’s physical ability to do the work required.

Panyaza Lesufi spent almost half a billion for this guy to combat crime.
It is alleged that they got 3 months training, however, no one knew about the recruitment of the wardens until last week when he launched the verbally trained wardens.
Is ANC moving this country forward? pic.twitter.com/hQtWWBHPIy

— PSAFLIVE (@PSAFLIVE) May 1, 2023

Lesufi on Monday said body shaming and discrimination are ‘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 Mahlatsi Tseko, a crime-fighting volunteer who fought criminals for years [while] volunteering.”

Users questioned if the warden would be able to catch criminals, but Panyaza responded on the platform by saying that Tseko would be able to succeed in this role ‘as he had been volunteering to fight crime in his community for years’.

“We all have strong and weak characters, but please don’t body shame nor discriminate against others based on their bodies. It is shameful,” he tweets.

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

Community backs Tseko

Following the incident that went viral on social media on Monday, the community in Sedibeng rallied behind Tseko, calling for the nay-sayers to keep their opinions to themselves as ‘they know nothing about his track record’.

Responding to a Facebook post, Dineo Masechaba Mohlonoko said: “People are bitter shame, after years of serving the community relentlessly for years and volunteering under the Community Policing Forum, he surely deserves it.”

Another user Masechaba Felicity Mokone said: “One of the most determined ambitious officers I know, no matter how much or how many times they bring him down, he will never give up.”

Mokone condemned the act of body shaming Mahlatsi.

“This guy is very persistent, when he is given a task, he delivers. People may try to make fun of him but he will keep on winning.”

Before becoming a CPW, Mahlatsi worked with the Youth Crime Prevention Desk and the Community Policing Forum at Boipatong SAPS.

Sedibeng Ster tried to solicit comment from Mahlatsi but he declined to comment and said his track record would speak for him.

Today is World Press Freedom Day.

Irma Green, Group Editor of Caxton Local Media, says the threat to local journalism has become more prevalent over the past two years.

“Even on a hyperlocal level we are experiencing an increase of events where our journalists are threatened, intimidated and withheld from reporting on stories in their communities. We do, however, act vigorously on these threats and haven’t shied away to address any of the threats made against us.

“It does have an impact on our journalists and their well-being as many of these threats are directed not only to them but also towards their families.”