SOUTH AFRICA: Durban CBD crime hotspot shut down as KZN police chief leads night raid

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on Friday night led a high‑intensity multidisciplinary operation that shut down parts of Dr Pixley kaSeme Street in the Point area of Durban’s CBD, in a renewed push against rampant inner‑city crime.

The night‑time raid, which brought together various law‑enforcement units and regulatory agencies, saw officers cordoning off the busy arterial route as they moved from block to block, stopping vehicles, searching pedestrians and inspecting businesses suspected of harbouring illicit activities.

Police said the operation targeted illegal firearms, drugs, undocumented individuals and non‑compliant businesses, with the Point precinct and surrounding CBD blocks identified as persistent crime hotspots requiring a more visible and coordinated response.

Authorities framed the crackdown as part of an ongoing campaign to “reclaim” Durban’s inner city, disrupt entrenched criminal networks and restore confidence among residents, traders and visitors who have long complained about lawlessness in the area