The period of 9 June to 14 July saw the deployment of a South African Police Service (SAPS) Stabilisation Team to the City of Tshwane to conduct operations in northern Pretoria, with the intent to “make the affected precincts safer.”

This has resulted in the arrest of 51 suspects, and the recovery of 26 stolen vehicles, along with the seizure of seven illegal firearms. The team is comprised of members from Crime Intelligence (CI), Visible Policing, Detectives, Flying Squad, and a K9 unit. Additional assistance came from the Tshwane Metro Police (TMPD), Gauteng Traffic & Traffic Wardens, Private Security and the Community Policing Forum (CPF), along with elements of specialised SAPS units, namely the Tactical Response Team (TRT) National Intervention Unit (NIU), Public Order Policing (POP) and a drone unit.

Launched by the previous Police Minister Bheki Cele on 14 May, the team has been deployed to police stations in Akasia, Loate, Mabopane, Rietgat and Shoshanguve. The deployment came in the aftermath of the murder of a 5-year-old boy during the hijacking of his father’s vehicle in Shoshanguve.

SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili has stated that “operations will continue until the situation in the affected areas returns to normal.” The Tshwane Stabilisation Team intends to reduce instances of road spikings, robbery, drugs, hijackings and vehicle theft.

SAPS has urged the public to report criminal activity to the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111.