TZANEEN – The police in conjunction with Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) and the Department of Home Affairs cracked down on illicit and non-compliant businesses in Tzaneen on March 11.

Eleven people, including seven supermarket owners, were arrested for various violations relating to business registration and illegal practices.

“Authorities discovered that supermarket owners were operating without the necessary business registration certificates violating the Limpopo Business Registration Act (Libra),” stated Freddy Ramallo, Local Economic Development (LED) manager in the GTM.

Each of the business owners was fined R1000 and given a 21-day deadline to register their business with LED’s office at the municipality.

Ramallo further said Somali business owners were also found to be non-compliant, contributing to concerns over food safety and potential risks of foodborne illnesses. Moreover, one of the shops was found employing underage children, raising further concerns over labour practices and child exploitation.

“The operation aimed to extrude licences from shops, if there’s no licence, SAPS closes the shop. The operation is part of the ongoing effort to combat illicit trade and enforce compliance in the Mopani district,” he said.