Savoy Meat Market owner challenges his accusers to open a case against him
SAVOY– Fisher said he was aware of the issue of Savoy Meat Market and even went further to resolve the matter of open fires at the outlet.
The residents and business community of Savoy have raised concerns over a newly established chesa nyama in the area that is alleged to operate beyond its operating hours and sells liquor without a licence.
Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson in the area, Sanjeev Ishwarall accused Savoy Meat Market of breaching the City’s by-laws, bringing prostitution into the area and selling liquor without an operating licence.
Ishwarall also accused the local councillor David Fisher of doing nothing regarding the matter though the matter was reported to him.
“As CPF in the area, we have a responsibility to ensure that our community is safe and we work with the police to curb crime in the area. The residents have raised concerns about Savoy Meat Market which operates as a chesa nyama and sells liquor without a licence. It has also come to my attention that the business operates beyond operation hours. We have had a number of meetings with Bramley Police Station regarding this matter and nothing has been done,” Ishwarall said.
In his response, Ward 73 councillor David Fisher said he was aware of the issue of Savoy Meat Market and even went further to resolve the matter of open fires at the outlet that residents had raised as concerns in the past.
“I am aware that there was an application to the Gauteng Liquor Board for a licence sometime in December. A number of concerned residents have lodged objections. I believe that the Board has not yet heard the application. The social media groups in the area have quietened down on this topic since November, which would indicate that the activity around the Savoy Meat Market is no longer a major concern for the residents,”
“I did get involved this time last year in the issue of the open fires. Environmental Health and Building Control resolved the problem,” Fisher said.
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Mark Diab, the owner of Savoy Meat Market, rubbished the allegations levelled against his business and challenged those accusing him of breaching by-laws to take him to court. He said the matter has been to court for more than eight times and he was found not guilty because he broke no law.
He showed North Eastern Tribune an approved plan from the City Council allowing him to install tables and chairs outside the shop.
“All the allegations levelled against me and my business are not true. This matter has been to court more than eight times. I have not breached any city’s by-laws. I applied to the City of Johannesburg to have tables and chairs outside my shop where customers can sit and eat. I don’t sell alcohol in this shop and those accusing me and my business of selling alcohol and bringing prostitutes should go to court and open a case. I don’t sell liquor in this shop.”
