​Thembisa Shologu
To combat crime and improve service delivery in Gauteng, the Gauteng Provincial Government and its agencies launched a coordinated Integrated Safety and Service Delivery Operation at the Giant Stadium in Soshanguve on Thursday.
This initiative, uniting key government and community partners, aims to create safer communities and accelerate essential services.
To formalise the cooperation, all parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Integrated Cross-Border Law Enforcement Operations.
This coordinated approach is also in line with Premier Panyaza Lesufi's directive to strengthen intergovernmental collaboration in addressing service delivery backlogs and community safety challenges across Gauteng.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi said: "This operation demonstrates our commitment to combining safety enforcement with direct service delivery interventions.
"We are taking government to the people, addressing safety concerns, restoring infrastructure, and providing essential services in one coordinated effort."
To facilitate these initiatives, communities were encouraged to participate actively, report issues, and collaborate with local government teams.
Tshwane Executive Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, reaffirmed the city's commitment to work with government. She assured residents that law and order would be maintained and that the city would tackle crime.
"Today, we showed citizens we can unite as government and do the right thing. Residents in Tshwane and Gauteng have called for leadership that shows we care.
"How can you care about someone if you do not care about their safety? It is time for political leaders to stop sending mixed messages about restoring law and order in our country," said Dr Moya.
According to Moya, the only way to serve communities, therefore, was to be at the forefront.
She thanked all law enforcers for their dedication to keeping communities safe.
"We are tired of going to your families and handing them flags to honour your service. We want you alive, so you can keep communities safe.
"Today's event shows that Gauteng's leadership wants only the best for residents. But we cannot achieve this unless we assure their safety," said Mayor Moya.
Tshwane Metro Police Chief Commissioner Yolande Faro explained that the collaboration with law enforcement agencies, which was established in October 2024, is focused solely on combating crime.
Faro said this initiative marks a major step toward eliminating crime and grime in the province. 
"By signing this MoU, all parties agree on important points for effective cooperation.
"We are working together to find solutions in both crime-fighting and service delivery. This benefits all Gauteng residents.
At the same time, the provincial government and the city held a Service Delivery Imbizo at KT Motubatse Hall to speak to the communities of Marry Me, Soshanguve, and nearby areas.
Addressing the community, Police Provincial Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni reported that, because of visible policing operations, over 1,000 wanted suspects were arrested for crimes including murder, theft, hijacking, rape, armed robbery, and business robbery.
The operations took place between 06H00 and 18H00 on Thursday, 14 August 2025.
About 60 suspects were arrested for violating the immigration act. Police impounded 44 vehicles and searched over 1,600 people and 694 vehicles during roadblocks.
"These successes show that collaboration among law enforcement agencies delivers real results. We will continue working on the ground to serve and protect communities," said Mtombeni.
Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise said the city began formalising the Marry informal settlement in April after the tragic deaths of community patrollers. This prompted ongoing government visits and community meetings
Modise said that all beneficiaries would get their houses.
"All listed beneficiaries will get their houses. Those who arrived later, after hearing about area changes, should step aside.
"I would like to thank the police for bringing to book all those involved in the killing of our patrollers; three of them are arrested," he said.