By Jonathan Ancer and Thomas Hartleb
Red Ants, police officers, soldiers, ex-boxer Baby Jake Matlala and police chief Jackie Selebi have descended on Hillbrow.
And their message to residents? Clean up your act.
Hillbrow Police Communications Officer Inspector Kriban Naidoo on Tuesday warned inner-city residents that police would be out in full force to ensure a crime-free New Year's Eve.
'Police would be out in full force' "There will be hundreds of police officers in Hillbrow. We'll have video surveillance, and anybody caught with guns or drugs will be arrested."
Naidoo said police would adopt an "aggressive, pro-active campaign" tonight to curb violence in Hillbrow.
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They would deal harshly with people firing shots into the air, putting bystanders at risk from stray bullets.
The metro police will set up roadblocks, checking for drunk drivers, inspecting cars for roadworthiness and searching for illegal guns.
The escalating number of people who have not lived to see the arrival of the new year has led police to target the area to ensure a peaceful celebration.
'The metro police will set up roadblocks' In the heart of Hillbrow, Commissioner Selebi spoke to residents on Tuesday, urging them to "party without fighting".
And police called on Matlala, the pint-sized world champion boxing legend, to deliver a message to the people of Hillbrow.
Driven around the inner-city by police, and using a loudspeaker, Matlala urged: "Law-abiding citizens, blow the whistle on criminals"; "People, remain positive and don't do a naughty thing"; "Only do your fighting in the ring"; "Don't be a champion in crime, be a champion in sport"; "Please, please, please - let's not kill each other".
But the mightiest punch he delivered was warning people not to throw "microwave ovens and condoms out of windows".
For some inexplicable reason, in the heat of New Year's Eve euphoria, many people in Hillbrow hurl whatever they can get their hands on out of windows.
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