Thousands of expired foodstuffs confiscated in city’s CBD
Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selela says they are dealing with the unauthorized connection of services by unauthorized occupants.
POLOKWANE – Thousands of expired foodstuffs were confiscated from shops in the CBD by Polokwane law enforcement agencies during a police and local municipality operation held earlier this month.
Among these products, that included sealed cold drinks, some had expiry dates scratched out, while others had most recent dates on them – implying that fraudulent expiry dates have already been put out.
From there, multiple stores in the CBD, between Rissik, Bok and Pres Paul Kruger streets, among others, were found to be occupying buildings illegally without valid permits and certificates.
The illegal occupants still use municipal services such as water and electricity, according to municipal spokesperson, Thipa Selala. The concern in this regard, as Selala says, is how unauthorised building occupants pay for the services.
“Usually, when there is an unauthorised occupation, there are unauthorised connection of services. This is a challenge that the municipality is dealing with,” he said, adding that the raids will continue with the help of other law enforcement agencies.
Municipal by-law officials with its partners, such as the local home affairs department and police, run such operations regularly to monitor and clean the city’s downtown from illegal substances such as drugs and crime in general.
