Midrand streets were lit up with a flurry of flashing lights and uniformed officers as the City of Johannesburg’s Public Safety Department led a large-scale law enforcement operation across Region A on September 11 and 12.
The operation, stretching from the bustling Midrand CBD to Kyalami, Crowthorne, and along the busy R55 corridor, brought together a formidable coalition of agencies determined to restore compliance and order.
Read more: Citywide law enforcement operation tightens grip on Midrand-Kyalami
This collaborative effort involved the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Emergency Management Services (EMS), Home Affairs, National Traffic Police, Gauteng Traffic Wardens, the Gauteng Road and Transport Department, and municipal representatives from Citizen Relationship and Urban Management, among others.
Key focus areas were by-law enforcement, especially for street trading around South, North, and Church streets in Midrand CBD, illegal motor mechanics operating along various streets in Midrand, unregulated car wash operations causing road damage, and identification and processing of individuals without proper documents.
The results were immediate and noticeable. On September 11, authorities impounded vehicles, confiscated perishable and non-perishable goods, and issued a range of compliance notices under the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act and fire safety regulations.
EMS and building development management officers also served Section 56 notices for pollution and environmental nuisances. Additionally, police and Home Affairs detained eleven undocumented foreign nationals following verification checks.
On the second day, the operation shifted to the northern side of Midrand, where stop-and-search procedures uncovered forged documentation among some delivery bike drivers.
The operation successfully uncovered multiple regulatory and legal violations, ranging from undocumented persons and traffic law infringements, to unlicensed trading and environmental health breaches. The combined effort of various agencies ensured a decisive, well co-ordinated response across all targeted locations.
Also read: City Power seizes 2 000kg of stolen cables during operation in Rabie Ridge
In a statement released by the MMC for the Public Safety Department, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, stated that upon arrival, it was observed that several shops had already closed. “A stakeholder postmortem meeting will be convened to review the operation and formulate an alternative approach. The JMPD Region A operation team will continue to monitor the area to ensure long-term sustainability.
“The operation aimed to promote public safety and enforce compliance with municipal by-laws in Region A. The co-operation and support of all stakeholders is highly appreciated.”
Some of the successes of the multi-disciplinary operation included:
• Goods confiscated: 17 non-perishables worth R68 714 and two perishables worth R4 042.
• Impoundments: One trailer and one vehicle for obstruction.
• Enforcement: Six AARTO fines issued, totalling R4 750.
• Fire safety: Three fire safety warning notices issued, and one food trailer impounded.
• Environmental health: Eight prohibition notices for informal trading, three for formal trading, two statutory notices, and one prohibition for salons, plus pollution fines totalling R10 000.
• Building development management: One Section 56 issued with a fine of R2 500 and two contravention notices.
• Immigration enforcement: Nine undocumented foreign nationals arrested.
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