SEVERAL Pinetown food outlets were shut down while some were fined for flouting regulations and by-laws during a multi-disciplinary operation that was led by the City’s Environmental Health Department. 

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The operation, which was held on Monday, 19 October, focussed largely on non-complying food premises in Hill Street, Stanfield Road and Dales Avenue.

It was carried out by the Department of Home Affairs (emigration), Department of Labour, Fire and Emergency services, eThekwini Business license, building inspectorates, KZN Department of Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs and law enforcement.

“During the course of the inspection, an eatery on Stanfield Road was shutdown with immediate effect for selling shawarmas under unhygienic conditions.”

“Among other transgressions, including a lack of trading licence, they were also selling rotten meat,” said the City’s acting head of communications, Mandla Nsele.

According to the manager for Environmental Health, Nono Lugongolo, responsible for Inner West District, the owner of the food outlet had previously been issued with fines and offered training on compliance education as part of empowering businesses with knowledge. 

“Our operation was a huge success as we were able to issue fines and some received notice of closure due to non-compliance for not meeting health standards and not having work permits, while others had expired documentation.

“We will continue to crack down on non-complying eateries as they pose health risk to patrons,” said Lugongolo.

The City urged all businesses to fully comply with laws governing the handling of food.

“Those found to be inconsistent with these laws would face the full might of the law,” said Nsele.  

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