Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya personally led a late-night by-law enforcement operation in Pretoria’s CBD on November 11.

The raid targeted a sports bar between Brown and Bloed streets, uncovering a prostitution ring, counterfeit alcohol sales, and illegal employment.

The operation resulted in the arrest of four undocumented Chinese nationals, identified as the main operators, along with about 30 undocumented workers.

Among them were 15 women reportedly forced into sex work and 15 men working without valid permits or documentation.

The venue contained several rooms equipped for prostitution.

“This is one of the most chaotic parts of our CBD that we have not focused on. What we have found here is that these Chinese owners are running a prostitution ring.

“They’ve got tons of rooms here, they’re selling alcohol, and they’ve employed illegal immigrants. We’ve arrested four Chinese officials, and we are arresting all of these people because they don’t have documents.

“We’ve got about 15 women, 15 young men who are working here without the proper papers to be in South Africa,” Moya said.

The mayor also expressed disappointment when confronted with the reality that establishments such as these were able to operate due to internal officials serving personal interests, as the property was illegally using municipal services.

In a released statement, the TMPD confirmed that numerous food delivery motorbikes were also impounded for failing to adhere to the National Road Traffic Act, and dozens of items were also confiscated from vendors who were caught trading on sidewalks.

“The operation was successful, resulting in the arrest of several undocumented immigrants. Four Chinese nationals were arrested for employing undocumented immigrants to work at their brothel in the CBD.

“The establishment was also shut down for non-compliance with city by-laws,” the statement read.

The Chinese operators allegedly bribed Tshwane officials R5 000 monthly for illegal electricity connections, exposing internal municipal corruption.

“This is one of the ways we are going to reclaim the city, but what is clear is that these people are working with our officials.

“These four will be charged for the prostitution ring and hiring undocumented people, but we will be camping in this place. It’s very dirty, we are going to clean it, and in the next few weeks, this place is going to look very different, you have my word,” Moya said.

Authorities also found counterfeit alcohol being sold to patrons, raising health and tax concerns.

MMC for Community Safety Alderman Hannes Coetzee said, “In Tshwane, if you hide, we will find you. Some jumped on the roof of the nightclub, some locked themselves in toilets, some wanted to jump from the roof, and they were found and arrested without legal documentation. We will enforce the law, no hiding.”

Watch here: https://x.com/i/status/1988351285486067845

We’ve arrested 4 Chinese nationals and about 30 young people who work at this sports bar in the CBD. They all do not have documentation to be in South Africa. What’s also concerning is that a brothel is flourishing well on Bloed Street at the benefit of unlawful people. We are… pic.twitter.com/UX2S1Hkpmr

— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) November 11, 2025

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