Entities out to restore law and order in CBD

At least 14 independent schools in Benoni are reportedly operating illegally.

The Benoni CPF CBD meeting, held in the boardroom of the Lakeside Mall on October 17, revealed this information.

Various stakeholders from the CPF, the SAPS, the Benoni Chamber of Commerce, the Ekurhuleni Municipality and the EMPD, among others, attended.

The forum aims to work collectively to find solutions to restoring law and order in the Benoni CBD.

Sabelo Mhlanga, the provincial chairperson of the National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB), said their investigations revealed that several foreign teachers and learners at these schools do not have the correct immigration documentation, raising red flags about the schools’ compliance with SA law.

“Some schools lack basic infrastructure, such as sports grounds or adequate space for learners to move around. In some cases, they mix primary and high school learners in the same building, which creates further safety concerns.”

Compliance
He pointed out that the traffic congestion in the CBD after school hours poses a significant risk to learners’ safety.

Mhlanga said they recently tried to inspect a school identified in the investigation but were denied access to the premises, with the school administration insisting they first submit a formal written request to the school’s owners and the principal.

Despite this setback, Mhlanga said efforts to ensure compliance are ongoing.

“Last month, we had a meeting with representatives from the independent schools’ body, accompanied by the EMPD and the SAPS, to verify the legitimacy of these schools.

“During the meeting, we received a list of independent schools in the Ekurhuleni North district, which includes Kempton Park. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for the coming weeks to continue discussions and take the necessary action.”

Mhlanga emphasised the need to bring more government departments into the conversation, inviting the Department of Home Affairs and the fire and labour departments to join future meetings.

SAPS report
The Pauline Davis Court, a residential facility for senior citizens in Benoni, was also under the spotlight at the meeting following a recent joint inspection by the SAPS and the fire department.

Presenting her feedback report, Sergeant Lerato Mabetoa of the Benoni SAPS said officials found several alarming issues, including fire safety violations and crime.

According to Mabetoa, a fire department representative said the premises did not comply with fire safety standards.

“While on-site at Pauline Davis Court, we received complaints that the elderly get robbed and prostitutes operate there. Residents also reported that, in some instances, entire families live in spaces intended for single elderly residents and that tenants rent their rooms to unauthorised individuals, violating the rules of the residency.”

Mabetoa confirmed that further action and a meeting with a CoE representative responsible for overseeing

Pauline Davis Court and Denys Conradie Residential are scheduled to discuss the way forward.

She said they would visit Denys Conradie Residential to ensure compliance with safety standards and residency regulations, and the residency rules are maintained to control who can live in the facilities.

EMPD report
Media liaison officer Lieutenant Colonel Vusi Mabanga from the EMPD said they held a successful two-day multi-disciplinary by-laws operation.

“On October 15, officers visited eight liquor businesses and found six were non-compliant. They issued these businesses notices and instructed them to close.

“On October 16, we visited 10 more businesses, and three were non-compliant. Officers issued notices to two owners and instructed another business to close down immediately. We also found some vendors trading without permits despite previously being served with notices,” said Mabanga.

The meeting revealed that SAPS members arrested 15 illegal immigrants during the operation.

They also arrested one person for common assault and three for interference.
On October 16, officers arrested 19 illegal immigrants.

The next meeting will be on October 29.

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