248 illicit drug premises in a major South African city raided, but only 40 people were arrested

A major law enforcement operation in the city of Kempton Park has resulted in just 40 drug-related arrests, despite thousands of people and vehicles being searched.

The operation ran from 17 to 29 September 2026, with 4,206 personnel from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies deployed.

During the 12-day operation, these officers searched 21,325 people and 8,839 vehicles while patrolling 2,109 known crime hotspots across Kempton Park.

850 stop-and-search operations were conducted, while 176 vehicle checkpoints were set up across the city by police and private security agencies.

By the end of the operation, 248 alleged illicit drug premises had been visited alongside 600 liquor outlets, including 18 second-hand dealers.

Despite the scale of the operation, only 40 drug-related arrests were made in total during the 12-day period, with 6 of these being on drug-dealing charges and another 34 for drug possession.

Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Solly Msimanga, criticised the operation’s effectiveness, criticising Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi for labelling it a success.

“Where are the major dealers and organised drug syndicates being dismantled?” Msimanga said. “Where are the arrests of gang bosses, smugglers, and transport operators moving drugs and weapons?”

“Arresting six street-level drug dealers is the same as fixing one pothole and saying Joburg’s road crisis is being addressed.”

According to Msimanga, only six thefts, one kidnapping, two hijackings, and three illegal firearms had been dealt with by the end of the operation.

Meanwhile, the police seized 623 litres of alcohol and issued four fines to liquor outlets and second-hand dealers across Kempton Park.

“Lesufi is proud of arrests for being drunk in public, public drinking, and trespassing,” Msimanga said. “These are not the real problem. They are fringe, at best.”

The operation came amidst a wave of murders in Kempton Park and other areas of Ekurhuleni, with 12 women reported to have been killed across the municipality since July.

Msimanga said fines and arrests made against public drinking and second-hand dealers did nothing to address these murders and other serious, violent crimes across Gauteng.

“Gauteng does not need crime-fighting operations that find three guns and arrest people drinking some alcohol in public,” Msimanga said.

“Our beautiful province needs sustained, intelligence-led policing that targets serious criminals and organised crime.”