Latest news with #MMCforCommunitySafety
The Citizen
12-08-2025
- The Citizen
MMC vows to take decisive action against illegal traders and road offenders
MMC vows to take decisive action against illegal traders and road offenders The metro won't tolerate lawlessness, and will take decisive action against illegal traders, road offenders, and those found to be in the country unlawfully. This is according to MMC for Community Safety, Hannes Coetzee, who made the remarks following a series of co-ordinated TMPD operations across the metro recently. Coetzee said the operations were aimed at protecting residents, upholding the rule of law, and sending a clear signal to offenders that Tshwane is not a haven for criminal activity. In Winterveldt, TMPD Region 1 Sector 1 officers spearheaded a joint operation targeting the unlawful presence of individuals in the country and the illegal sale of alcohol. The operation resulted in the arrest of 12 suspects, nine for being in the country illegally, and three for trading alcohol without valid licences. According to Coetzee, the arrests demonstrate that the metro is prepared to act decisively against those who disregard regulations, operate outside the legal framework, and exploit vulnerable communities for personal gain. Simultaneously, in Hammanskraal, Sector 1 officers conducted an intensive road safety blitz aimed at increasing compliance with traffic regulations. Dozens of vehicles were stopped and inspected, leading to the issuing of 62 AARTO infringement notices for violations, including unroadworthy vehicles, failure to display valid documentation, and reckless driving. Coetzee said road safety remained a top priority, adding that enforcement operations play a vital role in reducing road accidents, improving driver behaviour, and ultimately saving lives. – In a separate incident, TMPD patrol officers intercepted two vehicles transporting 53 Zimbabwean nationals, who were found to be in the country illegally. These individuals were taken into custody and are now undergoing the due immigration process. Coetzee emphasised that such interventions are crucial in maintaining border integrity, safeguarding public order, and preventing the exploitation of migrants by unscrupulous operators. 'We want to be unequivocal. Tshwane is not a haven for criminality. Whether it be unlicensed trading, road law violations, or illegal immigration, we will act decisively. 'The law is not an option; it is a non-negotiable standard. These operations reflect not only our resolve to enforce the law but also our dedication to protecting the dignity and safety of every resident.' He also expressed deep appreciation to TMPD officers for their professionalism, dedication, and the personal risks they take to keep communities safe. He described the success of the operations as the result of effective planning, collaboration with key stakeholders, and a shared commitment to upholding the values enshrined in the Constitution. Coetzee urged residents to actively support the TMPD's work by reporting suspicious activities, adhering to the law, and fostering a culture of mutual respect and accountability. 'We hear your concerns, we feel your frustrations, and we are acting. 'Together, we will build a metro defined not by disorder, but by law, dignity and opportunity,' he said. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
The Citizen
28-07-2025
- The Citizen
Heavy trucks, heavier fines: metro rakes in over R339k through reopened weighbridges
Heavy trucks, heavier fines: metro rakes in over R339k through reopened weighbridges The Akasia weighbridges have already generated over R339 500 in fines issued to overloaded trucks since their reintroduction into service this month. The weighbridges reopened on July 11 after more than a decade of inactivity. The Tshwane metro reactivated the two long-neglected municipal weighbridges to ensure road safety. This is also a decisive measure in cracking down on a long-standing culture of impunity in the freight and logistics industry. The facilities that used to be dormant and a symbol of administrative decay, are now frontlines in the metro's mission to reassert control over its crumbling road infrastructure. In just under two weeks of operation, the TMPD has used the weighbridges to identify and penalise freight operators whose overloading practices have long wreaked havoc on the metro's transport corridors. MMC for Community Safety Hannes Coetzee said these heavy-duty trucks, often overlooked due to a lack of enforcement capacity, contribute to road damage and heightened accident risks. 'The reactivation of the weighbridges represents a strategic turning point, not only from a law enforcement perspective, but in terms of restoring institutional trust. For TMPD officers, it's a morale boost and a return to functional policing. 'Today, they stand empowered, and we stand with them,' Coetzee added. For years, residents have watched roads deteriorate while witnessing little to no action against the vehicles responsible. The damage caused by overloaded trucks costs municipalities millions annually in repairs, as well as in lost economic productivity and public confidence. Beyond the immediate revenue in fines, the long-term impact could include improved road safety, longer-lasting infrastructure, and a more regulated freight environment. 'We will not allow your roads to be destroyed, your safety to be disregarded, or your municipality to be governed without consequence,' said Coetzee. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- The Citizen
Metro evicts illegal West businesses
The metro recently removed illegal tenants from a Pretoria West building, following eviction notices served last week. Mayor, dr Nasiphi Moya, says the city is owed over R26-million through its leasing of 12 properties with 35 stands. The businesses, which were operating illegally, were given a notice that expired on July 12, and on July 15, the officials returned to make sure that all occupants had vacated those properties. The mayor said, 'We closed this shop only to find out these people have been operating in the background. So, we have taken their cars, we are towing them, and they can go collect them from the pound. 'We are clearing this warehouse here. This Nigerian guy has been sending us from pillar to post, and we just want to clean this up. These people are so disrespectful. 'We've been giving them notice after notice, and even today, they were hoping we wouldn't be able to see that they were still operating on this property. 'This is the level of lawlessness that we must clean up so you can have your city back.' She says officials were met with resistance from a group of Nigerian men who were operating a scrap yard without valid leases with the city. After they refused to move, TMPD impounded all their vehicles. Moya says they were hoping officials wouldn't be back to reclaim the city property. The warehouse was cleared of over 10 illegally erected shacks, in addition to the businesses operating without permits. Moya says the effort is part of a broader plan to turn Pretoria West into a manufacturing hub for the city. 'When we say that we want to have Pretoria West become a manufacturing hub, this is what we mean. This is just one property, as you can see how big it is. 'It's been used by these people all these years; we have not been collecting leases, we have not been collecting money for the electricity or water, and our people have not been using it. 'We are reclaiming this city for you,' Moya said. MMC for Community Safety, Hannes Coetzee, says these types of operations can be expected across all seven regions. 'People ask what's happening. By-law enforcement at a high level. We're taking our city back. We cannot afford any longer for this lawlessness to continue. 'We need to restore this city, ensure the safety of our residents in all seven regions and restore Tshwane as a city of excellence,' Coetzee said. Watch here: Last week, there were over 10 shacks in this hijacked building. We've cleared this building of illegal occupants and the shacks that littered this spaces. We want to make use of the buildings we've reclaimed for social housing and business development. @CityTshwane — Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) July 15, 2025 Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
02-07-2025
- IOL News
Tshwane allocates R565 million to enhance municipal asset protection
MMC for Community Safety, Hannes Coetzee, says the City of Tshwane's R565.4 million budget for protecting municipal assets will be utilised for installation of modern technologies, including motion detection and other smart tools, to boost security personnel's efforts. Image: Supplied/City of Tshwane The R565.4 million budget for protecting municipal assets in the City of Tshwane will be utilised for installation of modern technologies, including motion detection and other smart tools, to enhance security personnel's efforts. This is according to Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Safety, Hannes Coetzee, who vowed that the City would step up asset protection following this week's arrest of three municipal officials accused of stealing transformers worth around R7 million at a Laudium electricity substation. He commended the SAPS for their decisive action and emphasised that the development marks a crucial step towards protecting the city's infrastructure and assets. 'This administration has made it clear that theft and internal misconduct will be dealt with decisively. The infrastructure under our care is not abstract; it powers homes, clinics, businesses, and public facilities. When it is stolen or sabotaged, it is the residents who pay the price,' he said. Coetzee slammed past administrations, saying they had woefully underprotected the City's assets. 'To address this, the City is pursuing a consolidated asset protection strategy that includes both physical security and advanced technological solutions,' he said. During the recent tabling of the 2025/2026 budget, Finance MMC Eugene Modise pointed out that the city is "woefully under-protected". He said the R565 million budget for protecting municipal assets, especially electricity infrastructure, will help secure infrastructure against theft and vandalism. The funds, he said, will be used for CCTV camera installations, deploying security personnel, and recruiting 200 additional metro police officers. 'At present, Tshwane is woefully under-protected. To address this, the city is pursuing a consolidated asset protection strategy that includes both physical security and advanced technological solutions,' said Modise. Mayor Nasiphi Moya shared the same sentiment during her maiden State of Capital Address, saying: 'We are finalising a consolidated asset protection strategy that includes both physical security and advanced technology. This plan will make use of CCTV, motion detection, and other smart tools to support and enhance the work of our security personnel. Importantly, we are shifting away from outsourced contracts and building a dedicated, inhouse security team.' [email protected]
The Citizen
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Metro police praised for restoring order in by-law raids
Tshwane police have received praise from the multiparty coalition government for carrying out by-law operations throughout the city. On behalf of the government, MMC for Community Safety Hannes Coetzee, commended the Tshwane Metro Police Department for executing decisive, lawful action across the city as part of a targeted by-law enforcement campaign. The operations took place on June 24 in different parts of Tshwane, including regions 1, 4 and 6. Coetzee said the executed operations are not isolated, as they form part of the metro's strategy to restore order in the city. 'They form part of a broader strategy to restore order, enforce accountability and reclaim public spaces for the people of Tshwane.' He said in Region 4, multiple businesses received fines for failing to adhere to the by-laws. 'In Centurion, the TMPD issued 14 Section 56 notices to businesses found violating municipal by-laws. 'Lawlessness under the guise of commerce will not be tolerated,' he said. Illegal structures and traders removed across the City. — City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) June 25, 2025 He said in Region 4, Mamelodi, two illegal street traders operating in prohibited zones were removed, with confiscations made and notices served. 'This administration is drawing a clear line that our streets will not be surrendered to disorder.' He further said a crackdown was comprehensive in Region 1, as by-laws were enforced in the region. 'In Mabopane, 11 illegal structures were demolished. In Winternest, 79 unlawful structures were dismantled in a co-ordinated effort involving the crime prevention and land invasion units.' He said illegal advertisements were removed, goods were seized, and offenders were served with enforcement notices. Coetzee said the operations were not just enforcement, but a reaffirmation of the rule of law in Tshwane. 'We are rebuilding a city founded on respect, order and justice. The days of impunity are over. 'Let this stand as a warning to those who defy the law and a promise to residents who demand a city that works. We are taking action, and we will not yield to injustice,' he said Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
