The City of Tshwane has arrested four municipal officials and four Chinese nationals after uncovering a prostitution ring operating from a sports bar on Bloed Street in the Pretoria CBD.
City law enforcement teams raided the premises on Tuesday night and arrested about 30 undocumented people who were allegedly employed at the bar.
Authorities say the site also operated as a brothel, exploiting young girls.
The mayor vows to restore order in the capital
Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya said the city is intensifying its bylaw enforcement efforts to tackle illegal activities and corruption.
“We’ve arrested four 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 on Bloed Street at the benefit of unlawful people,” she said.
Moya added that the arrests form part of a broader drive to restore order. “We are determined to deal with lawlessness in Tshwane. We are changing this city one step at a time,” she said.
Corruption and prostitution ring within city structures exposed
The mayor said the investigation revealed that city officials were colluding with the illegal operators by accepting bribes.
“It’s clear these people are working with our officials. They are confessing that they are paying R5 000, so we have a problem internally,” Moya explained.
She confirmed that the four arrested officials will be charged for running a prostitution ring and employing undocumented immigrants.
“Our officials are not loyal, some of them. We’re going to charge these four officials accordingly,” she said.
Moya said the city’s ongoing bylaw enforcement operations have also resulted in the closure of non-compliant shops.
The disconnection of illegal electricity connections and the shutdown of liquor outlets selling alcohol without valid licences.
