Visible policing and by-law enforcement in Centurion have seen a noticeable improvement over the past couple of months.

This is according to city officials, councillors and residents, who say the Tshwane metro police’s presence is now being felt more than before, although challenges persist.

Community Safety MMC Hannes Coetzee said during the Tshwane coalition’s one-year report presentation in Pretoria West on October 14 that the metro’s renewed focus on operations such as Reclaim Our City has helped make the metro cleaner and safer.

“A year ago, Tshwane was grappling with widespread urban decay and the erosion of public order. By-law enforcement had been neglected, leaving communities vulnerable to illegal dumping, vandalism and unchecked informal activity,” said Coetzee.

He explained the TMPD has expanded its multidisciplinary operations through initiatives such as Operation Shanela, Tshwane Ya Tima, Rea a Spana, and Reclaim Our City.

Coetzee said these efforts have resulted in more than 400 regional by-law enforcement operations across all seven regions, which included inspections of hundreds of businesses and informal traders.

“In total, over 385 items were confiscated, and several illegal structures were demolished to restore safety and order,” he said.

He added that TMPD officers also conducted 244 operations against illegal dumping, issued over 1.6 million AARTO notices, and accrued R372-million in gross revenue from fines and penalties.

Cleaner streets, stronger policing partnerships, and faster emergency responses are visible improvements.

“The progress we have made is significant, but our work continues. With your support and co-operation, we will strengthen community partnerships, fight crime and safeguard every corner of Tshwane,” said Coetzee.

He acknowledged that fleet shortages, funding constraints and gaps in environmental compliance still hamper certain operations, but said the city remains unwavering in its commitment to a safer, cleaner and more resilient Tshwane.

In Centurion, several community leaders say TMPD visibility and co-operation have noticeably improved in recent months.

The Lyttelton Sector 2 CPF chairperson, Merle van Staden, said officers have been more active and supportive when community members reach out for assistance.

“There has been improved visibility from the TMPD. They help a lot with enforcing by-laws and with patrols when we do ask for their assistance. In the past few months, I have seen them more and heard more from them, and they are very active.”

Ward 48 councillor Alta de Kock agreed that the increased presence has made a difference in Centurion’s suburbs.

“The visibility from the TMPD has definitely increased. They were conducting an operation last week in my ward where they arrested 17 undocumented individuals and removed those illegally selling wood along Rooihuiskraal Road.”

She added that officers also inspected spaza shops near Blue Valley Mall to ensure compliance with business regulations, which she said shows that the department’s by-law enforcement has strengthened.

However, PR councillor Wesley Jacobs cautioned that the TMPD’s progress is being limited by a lack of resources and equipment.

He said he often sees this through operations conducted by the officers when he is present.

“The commitment from the TMPD is only as good as the services that they can render with the equipment that they have. The failure of the city to assist the TMPD, especially in Region 4, is to their detriment.”

Jacobs explained that officers are often delayed when responding to illegal dumping incidents because they depend on other departments for vehicles and waste removal trucks.

“When it comes to waste removal and the enforcement of waste by-laws, they are more than willing to jump onto it,” he said.

“However, in such cases, they tell me and then I have to consult the waste department. The department has to allocate a truck, which might be coming from Mamelodi or elsewhere, and we end up waiting for two hours for it to arrive.”

He said that with their own trucks, TMPD officers could immediately attend to dumping sites, making enforcement faster and more effective.

“We could have some extra hands from the waste department, but the truck would belong to the TMPD. Then, wherever they see illegal dumping, they could act right away. They do a lot with limited resources.”

Jacobs added that Region 4 has improved with more vehicles and personnel for enforcement, but said officers still need better support, such as escorts and protection during operations like clearing fire hydrants or removing illegal traders.

For The Reeds resident Andrew Johnson, TMPD patrols have become more noticeable near the illegal dumpsite adjacent to the Mahlangu informal settlement.

He said officers regularly patrol the area and that their visibility has definitely improved in recent months.

“I’ve seen the TMPD come through here a lot more often lately. They drive past, they check the area, and you can see they are trying to keep things in order.”

However, Johnson said illegal dumping continues shortly after officers leave.

“As soon as they go, people start dumping again; it’s like a constant cycle. Within a few hours after the officers have left, people are back with rubbish,” he said.

He believes that unless there is consistent follow-up or permanent monitoring, the situation will persist despite the department’s increased patrols.

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