The Tshwane Metro Police have stepped up their crackdown on illegal advertisers across the city, with eight more people being arrested.
They are believed to be linked to a syndicate involved in the illegal termination of pregnancies and services like penis enlargements.
This follows the arrest of four people in connection with illegal posters advertising penis enlargements in Pretoria North last Friday.
More arrests are expected to be made in follow-up operations.
Among those arrested on Monday was a man who was distributing pamphlets advertising the illegal termination of pregnancies.
He was arrested after unknowingly pitching up for a meeting with metro police deputy chief Ndumiso Jaca at Church Square.
Jaca said he had phoned the number printed on the pamphlets advertising the abortion services, and asked to meet the man to terminate his wife’s pregnancy.
The man, who was found with three cellphones, was arrested.
The metro police also raided the premises of an alleged bogus healer who claims to enlarge penises, bring back lost lovers and renders other such services.
Unspecified quantities of dagga were found at the premises, along with various types of underwear, CVs, letters and photographs.
The man was not at the premises but was later arrested at a different location.
The alleged bogus doctor also faces a fine for tampering with the electricity main switches on his premises.
They had been set to avoid them tripping during an electrical fault.
“Main switches are designed to trip when there are technical faults, so that disaster can be averted.
“This act may lead to fire a hazard and the entire building may go up in flames,” said Jaca.
Council spokesman Console Tleane confirmed that eight people had been arrested on Sunday.
Jaca said he was concerned that many of the adverts for illegal abortions were targeting schoolchildren as they were also posted near schools in Tshwane townships.
“These posters advertising illegal abortions are put up near schools in the townships. What are they saying to our children?
“We have taken a stance to clean up and reclaim the city. Through our operations we aim to bring these people to book,” he said.
“We will not stop with these operations until we have cleaned up the city. It is our job to apprehend (criminals) and bring them to book,” said Jaca.
Investigation of illegal advertisers always revealed more information, including that some of them were involved in drug dealing and other illegal activities, he said.
“It is our intention to sustain these operations until we have cleaned up the city. We will reclaim the city from those who want to lead it to deterioration.
“We call on people not to play into the hands of bogus operators.
“We call on women to visit public health facilities for assistance, instead of approaching people who will endanger their lives,” he said.
Other places raided on Sunday included offices in the city centre that have been transformed into hair salons and crèches in violation of public health by-laws. - Pretoria News