Members of the Metro’s Mayoral Committee recently conducted an oversight operation on Bloed Street to assess the health and safety regulation compliance of businesses along the street and informal traders.

MMC for Health Tshegofatso Mashabela said that the operation aimed to restore order, ensure public safety, and protect municipal infrastructure.

Metro teams, together with law enforcement and relevant city departments, carried out disconnections of illegal electricity and water connections that continue to strain networks, endanger lives and undermine the city’s ability to deliver reliable services.

“In addition to service-related enforcement, we are conducting thorough inspections of food shops and informal trading outlets to assess compliance with health, hygiene and safety regulations.

“These inspections are critical to safeguarding residents from unsafe food practices, expired products, and unhygienic conditions that pose serious public health risks,” Mashabela said.

The MMC also said that this operation forms part of the metro’s broader commitment to upholding the rule of law in every corner of the city.

She asserts that they are working to build a city where by-laws are respected, municipal resources are protected, and businesses operate in an environment that is safe, regulated, and fair to all.

“Tshwane cannot thrive in disorder. We will continue to enforce by-laws without fear or favour and ensure that every resident and business operates within the legal framework that governs our city,” Mashabela said.

Tshwane Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, stated that officials made a follow-up visit to a brothel that was closed down earlier this month, only to find that its occupants tried to resume business since its closure.

“We checked in at Ipi Ntombi today after we heard the establishment had illegally reconnected its electricity. We were also told about a secret entrance being used inside a fish and chips restaurant. We’ve disconnected electricity again, with an extra measure to ensure no further tampering,” Moya said.

“We brought a strong force to remove electricity connections to the building that houses Ipi Ntombi. The building owners illegally reconnected themselves weeks after our raid at the popular brothel. We want to assure residents that Ipi Ntombi remains closed,” she said.

The mayor asserted that the intention was also to clean up litter and engage businesses about compliance.

She said the work of keeping the CBD clean and accessible relies on the work of the government, but also the compliance of businesses.

“There’s a stubbornness shown by traders in the CBD. You can’t use the pavement as an extension of your business. Pavements should be accessible by pedestrians,” Moya said.

MMC for Environment and Agriculture, Obakeng Ramabodu, said that the operation made officials confront the reality of the rampant lawlessness in the area, and was a sign that clearly a lot more work is needed.

“We confronted the brutal reality of lawlessness in our city, where we found illegal electricity connections and stripped street-light cables in one of the car workshops. This shows how criminal networks undermine service delivery. As leadership, we are clear that by-laws exist to protect our people, and we will enforce them without fear or favour,” Ramabodu said.

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