City of Johannesburg mayor, Herman Mashaba, is set to meet with the community of Rosettenville on Thursday evening following surprise raids which were conducted on Wednesday in a joint operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS), City Power, Social Services and the Johannesburg Metro police Department (JMPD).

The meeting will be held at Rosettenville Primary school.

The raids comes after Rosettenville community members burnt down three houses on Sunday, alleged to have been used for drugs and brothels.

Mashaba said: “The most important purpose of the operation was fulfilled in that we have sent a stern warning message to the criminals in Rosettenville and surrounding areas that there will be increased visible policing, stop and searches, anti-drug raids, by-law enforcement, building control and prosecution of illegal connections.

“The aim is to drive out the criminality in the area and make our residents feel safe again. The residents have suffered at the hands of criminal elements in the area for years and this cannot continue. We have to be a responsive and caring government that puts the interest of our residents first.”

JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said at least 25 properties where seven houses were found to have illegal connections were raided.

“The power to these houses were cut off and meters removed, the owners of these properties will have to pay R10 000 each to have their meters reconnected,” said Minnaar

Minnaar said they also arrested one suspect for possession of AK47 ammunition.

“We also confiscated four scales and 24 packets used for measuring drugs.”

Four female sex workers were taken in for questioning and handed over to the Department of Social Services.