City says closure marks a turning point in its intensified fight against illegal businesses violating municipal laws and abusing vulnerable women
Pretoria, South Africa — 25 November 2025
The City of Tshwane has shut down Ipi Ntombi, a long-standing and controversial bar and brothel in the heart of the Pretoria CBD, following a major multi-agency operation led by Executive Mayor Dr. Nasiphi Moya. The enforcement action took place on Monday, 24 November 2025, at the well-known premises located along Sisulu Street, a hotspot long associated with illicit activity.
The operation—conducted jointly by the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD), municipal by-law units, and compliance officials—targeted illegal businesses accused of exploiting women and violating city regulations. According to the mayor, the brothel was run by Chinese nationals who had been operating the establishment in defiance of several municipal laws.
Speaking on Tuesday, 25 November, Dr. Moya confirmed she personally attended the scene during the operation and described the establishment as a venue that had “for years undermined the dignity of the people of Tshwane.”
“These activities cannot be allowed to continue unchecked,” she said. “The conditions inside Ipi Ntombi showed clear exploitation of vulnerable women, with practices that resembled human trafficking thinly disguised as business operations.”
Women Charged R1,000 Weekly to Operate
Dr. Moya revealed that the women working at Ipi Ntombi were allegedly forced to pay R1,000 per week to operate inside the building. She said the interior was divided into cramped workstations where the women were expected to offer sexual services under strict financial demands.
Such conditions, she added, amounted to exploitation and indicated deeper criminal networks benefiting from the illegal operation.
Property Owners Put on Notice
The mayor also issued a stern warning to property owners in Pretoria who knowingly rent out spaces to illegal or exploitative businesses. She stated that the owners of the building housing Ipi Ntombi will face investigation and possible prosecution.
“Property owners who profit while turning a blind eye to criminality will not escape accountability,” she said during a press briefing held at Tshwane House. “Anyone benefiting from such establishments will face the law.”
Mixed Reactions from Residents
The sudden closure of the decades-old venue has drawn mixed reactions from Pretoria CBD residents. Some expressed shock, while others welcomed the city’s decisive action. Dr. Moya acknowledged the reactions but said the enforcement operation was necessary.
“Our priority is restoring dignity, safety, and order in the capital city,” she said. “We understand some residents may be surprised, but we cannot allow illegal operations to continue at the expense of vulnerable women.”
Part of a Broader Inner-City Cleanup
The shutdown is part of Tshwane’s broader ongoing campaign to cleanse the inner city of illegal businesses, drug dens, brothels, and spaces used for criminal activity. Several targeted operations have taken place throughout November 2025, with more expected in December.
Dr. Moya praised the officers, inspectors, and support teams involved in the Ipi Ntombi operation, calling it “a significant step toward reclaiming the Pretoria CBD.”
“This is not a one-day effort,” she said. “More operations like this will follow as we intensify efforts to uphold the rule of law and protect marginalized residents.”
A New Chapter for Pretoria’s Inner City
The closure of Ipi Ntombi—one of Pretoria’s most infamous nightlife establishments—signals a new phase in the city’s efforts to curb illegal operations and restore order. Authorities say additional operations will be conducted across the CBD, Sunnyside, Marabastad, and Arcadia in the coming weeks.
As Pretoria moves into the festive season, Dr. Moya urged the public to report suspicious activities to law-enforcement units.
“Tshwane belongs to its people,” she said. “And we will continue doing everything necessary to make our city safer, cleaner, and more dignified for all.”
