By Levy Masiteng
The City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng provincial government on Tuesday announced the signing of the Provincial Integrated Law Enforcement Operations agreement, concluded in Soweto to strengthen efforts to combat crime across the province.
As part of the initiative, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with the South African Police Service (SAPS), traffic police, and all municipalities in Gauteng to enhance municipal policing powers and improve coordination in the fight against crime.
The agreement establishes eight dedicated workstreams to support intelligence-led operations, e-policing, legal and training frameworks, GBVF interventions, monitoring and evaluation, and the coordination of resources and infrastructure.
Joint law enforcement operations will be conducted in key hotspots, with active participation from SAPS, Metro Police Departments, municipal enforcement units, Community Policing Forums (CPFs), and the Gauteng Crime Wardens.
Led by Executive Mayor Dada Morero in Johannesburg, the ceremony included Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and other provincial leaders. Morero emphasized the significance of enhancing collaborative law enforcement across the province.
“This groundbreaking agreement unites the Gauteng Provincial Government with SAPS, Municipal Police Departments, as well as District and Local Law Enforcement,” said Morero.
“Our goal is to supercharge crime prevention efforts by fostering stronger coordination across municipal borders, paving the way for a safer Gauteng through improved collaboration between provincial and municipal agencies.”
Morero described the event as marking a new era of partnership among law enforcement agencies, government officials, and civil society.
He underscored the importance of collective action in combating crime, stating, “No single municipality can win this battle alone; we need each other.”
The agreement enables integrated law enforcement, cross-boundary collaboration, and resource sharing across municipalities.
“Through this partnership, we can deploy smarter, act faster, and respond more decisively—whether in the inner city of Johannesburg, the townships of Tshwane, or the rural edges of Sedibeng,” Morero added.
He urged that the signing should signify more than a symbolic gesture, stating, “Let it be the foundation of a long-term alliance—one that restores public trust, upholds the rule of law, and ensures that every resident in Gauteng, regardless of location, feels protected, respected, and seen.”
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department added that integrated law enforcement operations are already underway throughout the City of Johannesburg.
These ongoing operations focus on crime prevention, traffic law enforcement, and public safety management—with collaborative efforts by multiple agencies working to deter criminal activity, enhance visible policing, enforce traffic laws, and address crime hotspots.
“Residents of the City of Joburg can expect a continued presence of law enforcement aimed at creating a safer environment for all,” the JMPD said in a statement.
Lesufi highlighted the necessity of a unified approach to address crime and road fatalities.
He said that with this landmark agreement, Gauteng aims to build a safer, more resilient community, restore public trust, and uphold the rule of law.
“The era of fragmented action is over. The time for bold, united, and strategic governance has arrived,” said Lesufi.
“All law enforcement agencies in Gauteng must pool their resources to tackle crime, corruption, and lawlessness. No municipality can fight crime alone.”
“These operations signal a coordinated and visible commitment to reclaiming public spaces and protecting residents. Today, we are united under one vision and one plan to protect the people of our province. I thank all the municipalities who signed this MoU for abandoning unnecessary bureaucracy and prioritising our residents’ safety.”
Addressing the media, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni stressed the importance of partnerships between law enforcement agencies to intensify the fight against crime while ensuring community involvement.
This forms part of ensuring that the Gauteng Safety Agreement yields positive results.
“We are targeting hotspots, illegal trading, cable theft, drugs, and illegal immigrants. A safer Gauteng starts with coordinated action,” said Mthombeni.
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