In an effort to clamp down on ongoing illegal practices in the West, the Bad Buildings Mayoral Sub-Committee recently conducted its fifth by-law operation in Pretoria West.

The operation, carried out on February 16, targeted properties in arrears with the city and resulted in 29 formal compliance notices, valued at about R55 500, being issued.

These included 10 health and safety notices, six building regulation contraventions, and three fire safety violations.

The inspections revealed that the properties targeted during this operation owe the metro over R500 000 in unpaid water and electricity accounts, with one business alone responsible for R412 000 of that amount.

“This fifth enforcement operation in Pretoria West uncovered deeply concerning levels of lawlessness, non-compliance, and disregard for human safety.

“This level of non-payment places an unfair burden on law-abiding residents and businesses who meet their obligations,” Bad Buildings Committee Chairperson and MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi, said.

One restaurant was immediately shut down after inspectors discovered it was operating without fire emergency exits or working emergency lighting.

The entire structure had also been erected without approved building plans. In the event of a fire, patrons would have had no safe escape route.

At another nearby spaza shop, officials found an emergency fire escape being used as illegal accommodation for foreign nationals, some of whom were confirmed to be in the country unlawfully.

The property is deteriorating and includes a restaurant operating alongside gas cylinders, creating a hazardous and volatile environment.

A warehouse operating in an illegal temporary structure was discovered storing highly flammable goods, including candles and matches, under unsafe conditions.

The MMC said the site posed a severe fire risk, and the electricity supply had been disconnected, and enforcement notices served.

“These findings underscore the urgent need for sustained enforcement interventions. The Bad Buildings Committee was established with a clear mandate: to restore compliance, improve urban management, and protect communities from unsafe and exploitative conditions.

To report bad buildings (unsafe, derelict, or hijacked structures), email the committee at complaintsbc@tshwane.gov.za or bpcontraventions@tshwane.gov.za. Please include the street address and erf number, a description of the violation or illegal activity, and photographs of the building in any report.

Also read: Metro leak angers residents amid water throttling

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel