Metro by-law operation tackles illegal buildings, traders

The Tshwane metro conducted a by-law enforcement operation in Pretoria CBD dubbed Reclaim Our City.

The operation netted over 80 undocumented immigrants after the inspection of several hijacked buildings in the CBD.

Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya said the effort was part of the city’s mandate to clean up streets, ease congestion and ensure businesses comply with the metro’s by-laws.

“We successfully inspected buildings on Madiba, Helen Joseph and Lilian Ngoyi streets. Some of them are metres away from Tshwane House. In addition, we accelerated efforts to enforce by-laws on vendors and informal traders who run businesses on the sidewalks,” said Moya.

The operation, which took place on January 17, made note of the following successes:

– Eight businesses were inspected.

– Two Section 56 notices for contravention of the Business Act, 1991 (Act 71 of 1991) were issued.

– Contravention notices were issued for violation of the Solid Waste Management By-Law.

– Two contravention notices were issued by the city’s fire safety officers, in addition to five Section 56 notices for violation of fire safety regulations.

– One Section 56 notice was issued for food products, cosmetics and disinfectants.

– Two businesses were closed for non-compliance.

– 31 Aarto fines were issued by the region.

– 27 illegal immigrants were arrested.

– 13 illegal traders were inspected.

The following items were confiscated during the searches:

– 16 perishables (mixed fruits)

– 11 packs of various cold drinks

– 20 cases of various energy drinks

– Five packets of wigs

– Ten mixed plastic chairs

– One fan

– 16 yellow plastics

– Black bag full of shoes

– 20 travel bags.

Moya and supporting officials said of the buildings inspected, the dilapidated circumstances are the responsibility of both the private and public sectors.

“The operation also focused on dilapidated buildings. We discovered a building that has been abandoned by the National Department of Public Works for a long time,” said Moya.

“Buildings such as Navy House, Fatima’s Centre and Libri Building, which are all privately owned, should be declared as unfit for human habitation. Navy House, which is demarcated as a residential building, had more than a dozen salons operating inside the seven-story structure,” she said.

The mayor also intends to revitalise historic buildings in the CBD which have been long underutilised and abandoned.

Moya believes that should the metro be able to get these buildings up and running again, they would boost the metro’s tourism economy significantly.

“Close to the historic Church Square, some of our buildings have long been abandoned and are vulnerable to hijacking.

“We have really thwarted the tourism potential these buildings have because they have been locked for a long time. When we revive tourism as part of our economic revitalisation project, we’re going back to these buildings to see how we can use them,” Moya said.

“This is Church Square, we want this place to be a hub of tourism in the Capital City. We are committed to reclaiming these buildings and condemning those that are deemed as unsafe,” she said.

The Reclaim Our City operation will continue every week in the CBD as part of the mayoral executive’s commitment to its 100-Day Action Plan to ensure adherence to by-laws.

The executive recently met with informal traders to engage with the sector on efforts to legalise their businesses in the streets of Tshwane.

“We support the efforts made by informal traders to earn a living and contribute to Tshwane’s economy.

However, it is important that law, order and ease of movement in Tshwane are maintained. We have demarcated areas for use by vendors, and we encourage residents to apply for permits to ensure compliance,” she said.

“The Reclaim Our City operation also focuses on keeping our streets clean. City employees joined the campaign on Friday by helping to pick up garbage and sweep the streets. We thank our employees and the residents of Tshwane for their support,” said Moya.

Watch here:

A massive Pretoria inner-city “clean-up operation” is underway. Mayor @nasiphim is leading the operation. pic.twitter.com/TuD0yazTZX

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) January 17, 2025

The inspection of abandoned and neglected buildings also extends to ourselves, as the City of Tshwane. We have many of our own buildings that we have neglected for years, leaving them vulnerable to hijackers. We will be revisiting these buildings with a plan to make use of them… pic.twitter.com/GwJ6CW98ti

— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) January 17, 2025

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