By Johnathan Paoli
The Gauteng Provincial Government has commended municipalities and law enforcement agencies for intensifying joint operations aimed at fighting crime, enforcing municipal bylaws, and improving service delivery across the province’s five regions.
Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Infrastructure Development MEC Jacob Mamabolo hailed the success of recent coordinated efforts, noting significant progress in making communities safer and more orderly.
“We appreciate the increased effort by our municipalities to fight the scourge of crime which threatens the stability of our province. We have seen a much-improved impact of the law enforcement operations as we work together as one Gauteng,” Mamabolo said.
Mamabolo, who chairs the Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Forum on Law Enforcement, said the collaboration between provincial, municipal, and national agencies demonstrated the power of working as one integrated Gauteng in fighting crime.
The IGR Forum, established by Premier Panyaza Lesufi, serves as a coordination mechanism for integrated interventions against crime; one of 13 key provincial priorities.
Municipalities submitted progress reports to the forum detailing their enforcement and service delivery initiatives, which show a growing alignment of efforts across Gauteng’s metros and districts.
The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) conducted widespread operations focusing on crime prevention, traffic law enforcement, and bylaw compliance.
A total of 107 suspects were arrested for offences including driving under the influence, reckless and negligent driving, contravention of immigration laws, and public drinking.
In addition, 40 pedestrians were arrested for endangering themselves and others on public roads.
TMPD officers issued 8,984 Aarto notices, searched 5,440 vehicles and 3,221 people, and impounded 338 vehicles.
The Overload Control Units at Akasia and Centurion weighbridges inspected 94 vehicles, issuing 50 fines and 15 warnings, while discontinuing five unroadworthy vehicles.
By-law enforcement teams impounded 40 vehicles and shut down two non-compliant shops.
Clean-up operations also removed illegal structures and undocumented individuals along Solomon Mahlangu Road in Nellmapius.
The City of Johannesburg reported a surge in law enforcement activity, with 5,873 people and 9,051 vehicles searched.
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department issued 7,401 AARTO fines, impounded 135 vehicles for illegal parking and unroadworthiness, and made 234 arrests for drunk driving.
Speeding operations in Sandton, Johannesburg, and Roodepoort led to 77 arrests.
By-law enforcement teams removed 937 perishable and non-perishable goods, demolished 74 illegal structures, and impounded vehicles used for illegal dumping.
They also removed 86 illegal water connections and 485 illegal advertising banners and signs.
In Lesedi Local Municipality, integrated operations led to 43 arrests and nine business inspections, of which five shops were found non-compliant.
In Midvaal, authorities issued 726 traffic notices, impounded six vehicles, and executed 85 warrants of arrest.
Community-oriented policing initiatives were also rolled out, including school safety visits, GBVF prevention programmes, road safety education, and scholar patrol training.
The Emfuleni Local Municipality recorded major traffic enforcement success, conducting over 21,000 speed checks and stopping 708 trucks for overloading inspections.
Officials issued 2,317 Section 56 notices worth over R1 million, and executed more than 1,000 warrants valued at R331,000.
Between 24 October and 6 November, the West Rand District Municipality conducted joint operations with SAPS, Home Affairs, and the Gauteng Traffic Police.
In Mogale City, these yielded cases valued at over R4 million and warrants worth R120,000.
In Rand West Local Municipality, K78 roadblocks and bylaw enforcement resulted in 221 cases worth R221,400 and 382 warrants valued at R272,100.
Two shops were closed and illegal street traders removed in Randfontein, while police also responded to acts of vandalism and tombstone theft at Zenzele Cemetery.
In Merafong, law enforcement agencies responded to incidents of cable theft, graveyard vandalism, and housebreaking, while stepping up patrols and anti-dumping enforcement.
The Gauteng government emphasised that these province-wide operations reaffirm its commitment to building a safer environment conducive to economic growth and job creation.
Mamabolo said that by working as one cohesive province, together with all 11 municipalities, the provincial government will continue to coordinate efforts and combine resources to ensure safer communities.
Residents were urged to report criminal activities and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to sustain momentum in the fight against crime.
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