City enforcement teams carried out a sweeping compliance inspection across problem properties in wards 102 and 104.

It resulted in six arrests and a string of enforcement actions against property owners found to be flouting municipal by-laws. The operation covered Guillaume Avenue in Bordeaux North, as well as West Avenue and Vine Avenue in Ferndale, and brought together a large multi-department team. Officials from citizen relationship and urban management (Crum), environmental health, the JMPD, building control, town planning, emergency medical services (EMS), group forensics and investigation services (GFIS), City Power, and representatives from the mMayor’s office all took part.

Read more: Joint operation targets illegal Zandspruit structures

Ward 102 councillor Bea Campbell-Cloete was on the ground and welcomed the turnout, though she arrived with a nagging concern. Word had reached her that illegal operators in the area had worked out when to expect the inspectors. “I did get some intel from people in the area telling me that people know we’re coming on a Thursday, so they don’t come out on a Thursday.”

She suggested the teams consider rotating their inspection days to keep offenders off balance. “I’m honestly worried. What I’m suggesting is maybe we should go back to switching up the days, so they don’t know we’re in the area.”

Despite the concern, Campbell-Cloete was quick to acknowledge the work being done. “You guys are still on the ground doing the job, and I do appreciate it, and the residents appreciate it.” She urged officials to stay warm and safe in the cold conditions.

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The most activity on the day was recorded on Guillaume Avenue, where two properties were visited. Environmental health issued a fine after finding the property was being run as an illegal accommodation establishment, town planning issued a formal warning for the same reason, City Power found a meter bridge on the premises and carried out a level 3 disconnection, JMPD and home affairs immigration arrested one foreign national who was found without valid documentation, and GFIS assessed the building and confirmed it had not been hijacked.

A short distance away, still on Guillaume Avenue, officials returned for a follow-up inspection. Environmental health issued a public health nuisance fine, with the matter now heading to court on June 11, town planning served a land use notice and will wait for the June 20 expiry date before taking further steps, City Power found no illegal connections at this address, JMPD and home affairs immigration made four arrests of foreign nationals without documentation, and a vehicle parked on the property was flagged as a possible stolen vehicle, but was later verified as clean.

Environmental health operational manager for Ward 102 Morne Swart spoke to the history of problems at the Guillaume Avenue properties. Officials had previously issued fines after finding that bleach and other hazardous chemicals were being used on a residential premises for commercial purposes. They had been told trading would stop. It had not. “They said they were going to stop trading, and they are still in the process. There has also been a risk in terms of people that are illegal in the country. We will pursue this matter further.”

On West Avenue in Ferndale, two further properties drew the attention of the teams. At a property on West Avenue, City Power confirmed there was no electricity meter on site and that the property had been connected illegally, town planning referred the matter to GFIS with a formal notice, and GFIS recorded non-compliance. Two foreign nationals without documentation were arrested at this address, but environmental health did not issue a notice or fine here.

The team found the door closed at another property in West Avenue, where no access was granted. City Power confirmed that the electricity at the property had already been cut off at level 3.

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