TWO undocumented foreign nationals and several non-compliant businesses were shut down on Monday (February 23) as Operation Good Hope began its sweep through Ward 33 this week.

Last held in the ward in November 2024, the impact of the multidisciplinary operation was felt in Umbilo on Monday with Glenwood and Bulwer to be attended to as the week continues.

The operation involving Durban Metro Police Service, business and licensing, health and environmental, roads, streetlights, weeding, cleansing and solid waste departments, is aimed at dealing with the backlog of service delivery issues, with law enforcement cracking down on criminal activity and non-compliance.

Their first stop was Weston Road and the Queensmead Mall Precinct where they found an unlicensed tavern operating out of one of the shops. Noise complaints and allegations of on-street drinking directed law enforcement to the business that was quickly locked up by the owner who fled upon seeing the teams swoop in on the street.

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Several crates of beer and bottles of alcohol were removed from the property with the owner nowhere to be found. According to Metro Police, several other non-compliant businesses were closed for multiple violations.

“A R5000 fine was issued for no waste contract, R1500 fine for unserviced fire extinguisher,” said Metro Police. “Two suspects were also arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act and processed at Umbilo SAPS.”

The operation was welcomed by Ward 33 councillor Fran Kristopher. She applauded Metro Police and the specialised departments for inspecting businesses for valid licences, adherence to safety regulations, and “ensuring that they are not selling expired goods or operating in unsanitary conditions”.

“At a previous operation we found that one of the businesses which was selling food had no handwashing stations and employees were using water from the toilet cistern to boil mielies, which was ridiculous and unsanitary,” said Kristopher.

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The programme, led by I-Trump Area Based Management, also involved intensive cleaning, cutting overgrown trees, and addressing illegal dumping as well as roads and stormwater.

“We were just not breaking ground as every week breakdowns of CSW vehicles were compounding on the cleanliness of our streets. Trees were falling on a weekly basis, due to lack of trimming and assessments of old trees. Our streets are not weeded regularly and illegal dumping is compounding the overall aesthetics of the ward, especially on the Umbilo end,” said Kristopher.

The week-long operation will conclude on Friday, February 27.

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