TMPD arrests two suspected dealers after tip‑off near Hercules KFC

Two men were arrested after Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) drug unit officers acted on a tip‑off about alleged drug dealing near a KFC in Hercules over the weekend.

Officers follow tip‑off, make arrests

TMPD spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said officers went to the area after receiving a tip about a man allegedly selling drugs near the fast‑food outlet.

“On arrival, officers conducted observations and engaged with a male matching the description,” Mahamba said. While speaking to that man, a second male arrived in a vehicle. Searches of the suspect and the vehicle uncovered suspected narcotics identified as nyaope and crystal methamphetamine in the vehicle.

Evidence seized and suspects detained

Mahamba said two males were immediately arrested and the exhibits were seized for further forensic analysis and investigation. “The suspects were detained at a local police station,” he added.

Local concerns and policing context

The TMPD made another drug‑related arrest last month in Pretoria North, where four suspects were arrested and police recovered an unlicensed firearm, ammunition, burglary equipment and illegal drugs, the department said.

Calls to ease reporting and rethink harm reduction

Arcadia City Improvement District manager Catherine Keyworth commented on the broader problem of visible drug use and reporting systems. “Drug users openly use in the streets. We need to re‑examine systems. Our entire psychosocial support system needs to be examined. The visible drug use isn’t recreational any more; we clean up the used needles,” she said.

Keyworth also spoke about needle‑exchange efforts:

“I believe in making clean needles available, but we have a fatal flaw: those needles are not returned for safe destruction. They lie on the streets. The exchange of safe needles has been neglected.”

She described seeing drug users lying on pavements and asked, “At what point did we normalise this?”