VIDEO: Tshwane declares war on drugs and brothels

The raids will continue throughout the year.

February 1, 2018

Liam Ngobeni 1 minute read

Vehicle of arrested drug dealer being inspected for narcotics. Photo: Liam Ngobeni.

A concerted effort to rid Pretoria of drugs, illegal electricity connections and brothels kicked off on Thursday.

Dubbed Operation Tswelopele, it was scheduled to continue in the months to come, said mayor Solly Msimanga who led the raid.

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The massive swoop saw authorities cracking down hard on known drug hotbeds, peddlers and dwellings with illegal electricity connections.

Msimanga expressed shock at illegal connections to water and electricity which cost the municipality millions of rands.

ALSO READ: VIDEO: Illegal electricity connections cost Tshwane metro R1 billion

“It is shocking that we found an individual owning a significant number of these illegally-built structures and making about a million [rands] per month without paying the municipality a cent.

“This is something we are not going to tolerate. Unfortunately, people will suffer because there are those who pay their rates and taxes while some are here consuming electricity and water free of charge.

“These buildings are often riddled with service connections that contravene City of Tshwane by-laws. Fighting crime is at the top of our priority list and we will do what we can within the confines of the law to reclaim our beautiful city from criminals.”

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The raids also targeted undocumented people with 13 arrests being made. Two drug dealers were also apprehended in a rundown building for possession of narcotics.

Msimanga said the operation would continue throughout the year.

“Last year, I announced the inner city rejuvenation programme and since then anti-drug and anti-cable theft initiatives have yielded some results, [but] more needs to be done.”