Businesses toe the line
MELVILLE - Surprise inspections leave bad taste in the mouths of with Melville's business owners, patrons and police.
The last Friday of any month is possibly the busiest money making time for bar and restaurant owners in Melville. So it is understandable that a surprise raid carried out on the popular Seventh Street strip on 28 February was not welcomed.
Just like previous raids in Melville, it was total chaos. Though warned there would be inspections to check for compliance at a meeting with Ward Councillor Amanda Forsythe and the relevant authorities in January, many business owners and patrons were caught off-guard when they swooped in at around 9 pm.
The police were acting with the support of residents but the businesses feel they have been victimised and downright abused.
Buzz 9, on the corner of Seventh Street and Third Avenue was fined for playing music without an entertainment license. While the owner contested that it was only background music for ambiance, he was absurdly told that the music was entertaining his patrons and therefore required an entertainment license.
On the other hand, the authorities were justified when Dollar Table at the same intersection as Buzz 9 was found to be trading under the liquor license of the previous lessee and therefore shut down.
There was a resounding voice of approval from residents of the Melville Crime Forum who have complained of excessive noise from the restaurants and bars of Seventh Street and the patrons leaving them, illegal trading and decay of their urban village.
Businesses and patrons in Melville are tiptoeing the fine line of compliance and good neighbourliness. Even Public Relations Councillor from the City of Johannesburg, Cathy Seefort, appeared in the mix as she filmed inspectors carrying out their duties.
One of the police officers involved in the raid said his team is constantly in Melville trying to get businesses to comply and so, they take the abuse that comes with it.
“As a police officer I have to be used to these things even though it is always difficult. Now, I take a video camera with me and make it clear that I am recording so that people don’t try to throw out wild allegations.”
He had not yet reviewed the footage when contacted by NMT.
