Led by Tshwane Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, a Tshwane YaTima campaign and by-law enforcement operation was recently held in Pretoria West to address R60-million owed from several identified properties in the area.

Moya was accompanied by Sarah Mabotsa, Economic Development and Spatial Planning MMC and Kholofelo Morodi, Corporate and Shared Services MMC, alongside law enforcement and supporting agencies.

During the operation, officials disconnected electricity, removed illegal power connections and water meters from identified buildings, which owe a total of R60-million.

Moya says the message is simple: If you don’t pay for services, you will be disconnected.

“This is one of those precincts we follow up on regularly in terms of restoring law and order and reclaiming what is owed to the city.

“What belongs to the city is either the property or the services. If you look at all these businesses on this side, where we are, they have not been paying their property rates. Just two properties nearby we’re visiting owe R45-million. Then, most of these properties are connected illegally.

“Of course, one of the obvious things we do is collect illegal immigrants; we had Home Affairs on site with us. Right now, we are taking back our services, we’re disconnecting water, we’re disconnecting electricity, and if you look, we’re also taking our meters.

“We want these owners who run away to come to us, the best way is to take your services, and they know where to find us.”

Moya appealed to residents for their understanding concerning the fight against lawlessness in the metro. According to her, the metro is not there yet, and the work will persist.

“We are dealing with rot that has been going on for years. As always, we do not give up, but we want the residents to understand that when we struggle to connect, it’s because we have criminals who connect illegally and they continue to use our services,” she added.

Morodi, who also serves as the Chairperson for the Bad Buildings Mayoral Sub-Committee, encouraged residents to report all bad, derelict, and hijacked buildings in their areas, after coming across what she described as ‘poor living conditions’ during one of the revenue collection visits at a scrapyard and car-dealership on WF Nkomo Street.

“This Nigerian-owned facility owes the city R18.7-million in unpaid utilities. We cannot allow the state to be undermined in this manner. We’ve shut them down, Home Affairs has joined us – many have been detained for not having legal documentation.

“Anyone who walks this land should be documented. We are thankful to Home Affairs for their swift intervention,” she said.

Residents are urged to send their reports to Badbuildings@tshwane.gov.za, and the committee will arrange an inspection.

“We really need your assistance. At this location, we found 21 rooms that were built; someone must have seen something.

“As the Bad Buildings Committee, we’ve launched an email address, so when you see something like that, please do give us a tip-off and let us know, so our officers can come do their investigation.

“Residents must know that you cannot build without any approval here. Going forward, we are going to need you to participate with us,” Morodi said.

Watch here: https://x.com/i/status/1990798060083945881.

Today, we spent some time in Pretoria West to collect what is owed the city: property and services. Several buildings in this area owe us over R60 million for rates and services. In addition, we found several illegal connections. We’ve disconnected electricity, removed illegal… pic.twitter.com/9glyuI1i0k

— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) November 18, 2025

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