Johannesburg – Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, led a weekend crackdown on lawless nightlife, shutting down non-compliant clubs, shebeens, and liquor outlets.
Accompanied by Metro Police, he confronted nightclub staff in Maboneng for operating beyond the 2am curfew and ordered patrons to leave.
In Orange Farm, Tshwaku closed several venues after finding underage children inside and receiving reports of gang-linked violence.
At least 15 liquor outlets connected to crime and public disturbances were shut down.
♦️ HAPPENING NOW ♦️
MMC for Public Safety, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, is leading a Disruptive Crime Combat Operation in Orange Farm, targeting the 50s and 40s gangs.
All taverns in the area have been ordered to close until the situation is under control, as law enforcement works to… pic.twitter.com/My2FQXrwPe
— Cmsr Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, PhD (@MTshwaku) September 5, 2025
Tshwaku vowed continued patrols, intelligence gathering, and community engagement to curb gang activity, enforce bylaws, and restore order around Joburg’s nightlife hotspots.
Over the weekend, social media was flooded with images and videos showing Tshwaku in action.
In one, he reprimanded a driver, while in another, he challenged a nightclub employee in Maboneng for keeping the venue open past curfew.
♦️ HAPPENING NOW ♦️
Day two of targeted operations in Maboneng is underway. The MMC for Public Safety, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, is actively tackling lawlessness and enforcing by-law compliance across the nightlife precinct. These interventions ensure a safe and orderly night-time… pic.twitter.com/kF2DOFCupO
— COJ People’s MMC Public Safety (@PublicSafetyMMC) September 7, 2025
“Who is the owner here? What time is it now? You close at 2am. You see what is happening here? Why are you open at this time?” he asked.
“Where is the owner? What is wrong with you? When we come back tomorrow and you are open, we will take away your licence”.
People living near Johannesburg’s nightlife districts have repeatedly raised concerns about late-night disturbances — from drunk driving and excessive noise to littering and clubs ignoring the 2am closing time.
♦️ MUST WATCH ♦️
During the Orange farm nightlife operations, underage children were found in several non complaint shebeens/tarvens.
All tarvens must shutdown until the situation in Orange farm normalises.#NomakanjaniManjeNamhlanje #AskPublicSafetyMMC pic.twitter.com/ZqDIlyRifd
— COJ People’s MMC Public Safety (@PublicSafetyMMC) September 6, 2025
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/@PublicSafetyMMC
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
