Latest news with #PublicSafetyMMC
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- The Citizen
Drastic measures to restore law and order in Midrand
According to Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, the MMC for Public Safety, recent actions taken in Midrand, including the busting of a drug den, the closure of non-compliant salons, and the impounding of over 33 unroadworthy vehicles, marks the beginning of a more extensive crackdown on illegal activities in the area. 'We know that most of the shops [in Midrand] are not complying with the by-laws. Some [police] collect [bribes] from those shops. So, we got a tipoff on that, even with the drugs as well. So, we got crystal meth, illegal alcohol, and cigarettes, and we also got [illegal] exchange of money. 'There is more. This is just the tip of the iceberg. We don't really want to stop people's business. What we say to people [is that] they must comply with the by-laws. Some of the people do not even understand what a by-law is.' Read more: Public Safety MMC begins crusade to tackle Midrands drug problem This initiative follows the City of Johannesburg's Department of Public Safety hosting the #NomakanjaniManjeNamhlanje crime prevention and by-law enforcement operation in Midrand on July 8. This operation, led by Tshwaku, included search and seizure raids, the reclamation of hijacked properties, inspections for compliance in spaza shops, and actions against illegal dumping. The operation began at the Midrand Fire Station, where Tshwaku addressed officers about their mission, emphasising the critical importance of discipline, visibility, and a zero-tolerance approach to lawlessness. Tshwaku commended the multidisciplinary teams for their unwavering commitment to service delivery and community protection. Following the briefing, he took decisive action in Midrand, leading a rigorous enforcement effort against shops and salons that were operating illegally. Each establishment was inspected thoroughly to ensure compliance with municipal by-laws, health standards, and safety regulations. Tshwaku confronted illegal operators, demanding proof of compliance, health certifications, and valid licenses. Those unable to meet the legal requirements faced immediate shutdowns. Tshwaku also orchestrated the bust of a drug den in Midrand, relying on intelligence and strategic diversion tactics, which resulted in the seizure of illegal substances and the detention of suspects. Alongside this, he impounded over 33 unroadworthy vehicles, which have been secured at the fire station. Drivers were called to account for their vehicles and will face the necessary legal and administrative consequences. 'All those who are involved in stalling cases, who are receiving bribes, must be fired or must be arrested,' said Tshwaku. 'The cases are not moving at all. So, we need to investigate when someone was arrested, who the investigator was, and where the docket is. Where on earth have you heard that a docket just went missing? This is why you do not digitalise, everything is manual.' As the #NomakanjaniManjeNamhlanje operation intensifies in Midrand, another drug dealer, disguised as a street vendor, was busted on July 9, found in possession of dagga and an unlawful firearm. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- The Citizen
Public Safety MMC leads by-law enforcement operation in Midrand
The Public Safety MMC, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, led a land invasion and by-law enforcement clean-up operation in Midrand on June 20. He visited food trailer owners on Lever Road and illegal recyclers on R101 Old Pretoria Road in Midrand, where some cooking items, such as pots and gas-stoves, were confiscated. Tshwaku was accompanied by various departments, including the Johannesburg Metro Police Department's by-law enforcement unit, land invasion unit, citizen relationship and urban management (CRUM), and immigration unit. Read more: JMPD removes street dancers on Allandale and Pretorius roads Noordwyk Residents Association chairperson Bonginkosi Nhlapo, who was also part of the operation, praised Tshwaku's efforts. 'Just wish there were more arrests of illegal immigrants, and the shutdown of all the street vendors, moving trucks, and food trailers. Maybe, if he was mayor under the current coalition, Johannesburg would have a fighting chance to be cleaned up.' Nhlapo said more raids of this nature would help improve Midrand, and help it to go back to the suburb it used to be. JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla confirmed being part of the raid. 'Ours was to accompany the MMC and ensure that our various units enforce by-laws directly related to them.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
19-06-2025
- The South African
90 undocumented foreigners found illegally living in Joburg home
Authorities in Johannesburg have arrested a rent collector and uncovered an illegal settlement of undocumented foreign nationals living in squalid conditions in the upmarket suburb of Houghton. The City of Johannesburg's Public Safety Department and JMPD raided a house in Houghton on Wednesday, 18 June. Inside, they found 90 undocumented foreigners living in overcrowded conditions, with the space crudely divided by curtains. Public Safety MMC Dr Mgcini Tshwaku said another undocumented migrant collected rent from the occupants, who were mostly foreign nationals without legal documentation. That individual, in turn, reported to a third party a white male who remains under investigation. Police arrested the undocumented rent collector after they found him hiding in overgrown grass behind the property. He remains in custody and faces questioning about his role in the illegal occupation and possible links to those running the operation. 'This discovery highlights the organised and concealed nature of illegal settlements facilitated by undocumented individuals exploiting others,' Tshwaku said. Law enforcement officers searched the premises for signs of human trafficking or narcotics but found no such evidence. Authorities confirmed the main violations related to immigration offences and unauthorised occupation of private property. Officials have now marked the building for closure. The JMPD will monitor the site to prevent reoccupation as the city finalises legal steps. Authorities expect to deport most of the 90 undocumented individuals or hold them for further legal proceedings. Dr Tshwaku called on residents to remain vigilant and report illegal settlements and bylaw violations. 'Tip-offs about unlawful property use and undocumented occupants are essential to maintaining law and order in our city,' he said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
01-05-2025
- The Citizen
Public Safety MMC begins crusade to tackle Midrand's drug problem
Public Safety MMC Dr Mgcini Tshwaku has vowed to raid all drug dens in Region A, including in the Midrand CBD, Ivory Park, and Rabie Ridge. Tshwaku, who was part of the arrest of three suspected drug dealers with a staggering R200 000 worth of crystal meth in Halfway House, said drug dealers were running amok in the area. He said, various operations, including Operation NomakanjaniManjeNamhlanje (No matter what, it will happen now and today), will be mounted to nab those who are still dealing in drugs. Also read: CoJ mayor promises service-delivery improvement in Region A Tshwaku said, following his visit to Midrand, that he is not happy with several drug rates, as some of the salons at Midrand taxi ranks harbour various types of drugs. 'Firstly, we would like to apologise to the residents of Region A, especially in Ivory Park. With the limited resources, we had to focus on areas like Diepsloot and the inner city, to ensure by-law enforcement when crime was high in the two areas. We had to take a focus-based approach to deal with that crime. Midrand CBD is no different, as it is also a high crime area. And once a crime is committed in the CBD, then [the criminals] disperse to the nearby townships, such as Ivory Park and Rabie Ridge, for hiding,' said Tshwaku. Also read: 'Disruptive' Region A residents missed the opportunity to ask availability of funds to fix infrastructure – Speaker He said they would be doing this visible policing operation with intelligence and officials from his office. They will target various businesses, including unlicensed shebeens, scrap yards, and spaza shops, looking for legit permits. Tshwaku said they will also be working with Crime Watch and the Home Affairs Department to tackle undocumented immigrants. 'There is a lot of noise from Carslwald as well. We will be coming there, focusing on nightlife to ensure that they follow their liquor license times. There has been a misalignment between us and Citizen Relations and Unit Management (CRUM). First, CRUM needs to oversee and inspect, and if they find something wrong, then, we will be able to enforce. They need to, first, be issued with a notice. Then, should the notice not be successful, we can enforce. We are working with CRUM to synchronise the system,' he added. Read more: Region A's state-of-the-art Hikhensile Clinic rapidly taking shape He urged the community to stand up and fight the mushrooming of illegal salons and spaza shops, who he believes are used to clean drug money. 'You know that salons are drug dens. We have got intel that some of those salons, the majority of them, are used as cleaning systems for [drug] money. People of Midrand… Stop whining and become the solution to the drug problem,' concluded Tshwaku. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
