Law enforcement in Pretoria continues to intensify operations aimed at restoring order and improving safety on the city’s roads, signalling that enforcement efforts have not eased with the end of the festive season.

TMPD spokesperson Isaac Mahamba stated that the metro police remain committed to enforcing road traffic laws and by-laws across the city.

This follows a series of co-ordinated operations carried out over recent days, targeting non-compliant public transport operators, overloaded vehicles, illegal activities, and by-law contraventions.

The most recent operations, conducted by the TMPD Taxi Unit in Centurion and the Pretoria CBD on January 5 and 6, resulted in officers impounding 15 minibuses and one bus for failing to comply with the National Land Transport Act.

“In a separate operation, the TMPD Overload Control Unit carried out inspections in Centurion and Akasia, where 115 trucks were stopped and tested for load compliance,” said Mahamba.

He explained that several of these trucks failed the inspections and were subsequently charged for non-compliance with load regulations.

“These operations are part of ongoing efforts to maintain order and safety in the City of Tshwane and serve as a reminder to all transport operators to adhere to road traffic regulations,” he added.

The TMPD’s work extends beyond road safety enforcement, with officers also conducting operations to ensure broader compliance with the law across the metro.

“On Tuesday, January 6, members from Region 2 Sector 2 in Wonderboom, working together with the Overload Control Unit, arrested 20 illegal immigrants – most of whom were Zimbabwean nationals – in the Wonderboom and Centurion precincts,” stated Mahamba.

He noted that these individuals were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act by being in the country illegally.

At the same time, Mahamba said TMPD members in Mamelodi were deployed for by-law enforcement operations in Eersterust and Nellmapius.

In Eersterust, officers inspected businesses and confiscated several hazardous items, including perishable and expired food products that posed a risk to public health.

Meanwhile, in Nellmapius, the focus shifted to car wash establishments, most of which were found to be operating in contravention of city by-laws.

Mahamba warned that illegal car wash operations often create unsafe conditions for both pedestrians and motorists.

“It is important for car wash owners to adhere to city by-laws and avoid setting up illegal structures on sidewalks, as this forces pedestrians onto the roads, posing a danger to themselves and other road users,” he said.

Reflecting on enforcement efforts earlier in the month, Mahamba noted that TMPD officers were already active on January 2, as the festive season drew to a close, conducting highly intensive operations across all regions of the city.

These operations aimed to ensure vehicle compliance on public roads and to prevent the movement and entry of illegal goods into Pretoria.

“During one such operation at the corner of Simon Vermooten [Road] and Alwyn Street in Mamelodi, the TMPD Public Transport Unit impounded five motor vehicles operating illegally for reward without valid operating licences. Officers also issued Section 56 and AARTO infringement notices to offenders,” he said.

Mahamba added that TMPD pedestrian units carried out visible policing in surrounding areas, including along the N4 Witbank route and Solomon Mahlangu Drive, where two female suspects were arrested.

On the same day, the cable theft unit responded to information about damage and tampering with critical infrastructure at a trench on First Avenue in Capital Park.

“Officers secured the scene and arrested two suspects: one South African male charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and a Zimbabwean male charged with contravening the Immigration Act,” he said.

Drunk driving enforcement also formed a key part of the January 2 operations.

Mahamba noted that numerous roadblocks and stop-and-search operations were conducted across the city to ensure compliance with road safety laws.

In Sector 1 of Region 1, officers conducted a drunk driving operation along Molefe Makinta Road, resulting in nine arrests. Of these, five motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, while four were arrested for public drinking that posed a danger to the public. Officers also issued AARTO infringement notices to motorists found in violation of the law.

“In Sector 2 of Region 2, officers heightened visibility through side-point checks, inspecting and searching 355 vehicles. During this operation, 14 AARTO notices were issued, and one arrest was made for driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance,” added Mahamba.

He confirmed that all suspects arrested during these various operations were detained at local police stations.

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