Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
Tshwane Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya has pledged to intensify efforts against illegal immigration, criminal syndicates and urban decay after officially accepting ActionSA’s nomination as the party’s mayoral candidate for the City of Tshwane.
The announcement was made on Saturday, May 9, during an event in Mamelodi, where Moya outlined her vision to continue rebuilding the capital city through stronger law enforcement, infrastructure upgrades and economic recovery ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
Moya, who took office in October 2024 following years of political instability and coalition turbulence in Tshwane, said she inherited a municipality battling financial instability, deteriorating infrastructure, failing service delivery systems and declining public confidence.
“When I took office in October 2024, I inherited a city in crisis. The finances were unstable, infrastructure was deteriorating, and service delivery systems were failing,” said Moya.
She said tackling lawlessness, criminal networks and illegal activities linked to undocumented immigrants would remain central to her administration’s agenda as ActionSA pushes its “Reclaim Our City” strategy.
“We are sending a clear message that lawlessness, criminal exploitation, illicit trade, counterfeit goods and illegal activity linked to illegal immigration cannot be allowed to take root in our city,” she said.
Moya said the strategy involves coordinated operations between the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), SAPS, Home Affairs and other law enforcement agencies aimed at reclaiming hijacked buildings and restoring order in crime-ridden areas.
She revealed that several businesses and buildings allegedly linked to criminal activity had already been shut down, including the Ipi Ntombi Sports Bar in the Pretoria CBD and the Savoy VIP Lounge in Marabastad.
“We closed the Ipi Ntombi Sports Bar in the Pretoria CBD, where more than 40 rooms were being used for illegal activity. We shut down the Savoy VIP Lounge in Marabastad, which had become a front for criminal operations,” she said.
Moya also promised a tougher approach against infrastructure vandalism, theft and organised criminal networks undermining service delivery and economic growth in Tshwane.
“We must recruit more TMPD officers, strengthen visible policing, protect infrastructure from vandalism and theft, and improve enforcement against illegal activity that undermines communities and economic growth,” she said.
As part of her broader recovery plan, Moya said ActionSA would continue prioritising economic growth, investment and township development through initiatives such as the Tshwane Economic Revitalisation Strategy (TERS), which aims to create 80,000 jobs by 2029.
She also claimed the city now has a fully funded and cash-backed budget after years of financial strain, adding that the next phase of governance would focus on restoring public trust, improving service delivery and rebuilding confidence in local government.
Local government elections are scheduled to take place on November 4.
The Star