BOPHELONG- An irate landlady pointed out to law enforcement where her Pakistan tenant made her hide their illegal cigarettes.
This was one of the many incidents that were discovered during the ‘Operation o kae molao’ that was carried out by law enforcement, led by Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko in Sedibeng last week.
Many tuck-shops closed their doors in advance following tip-offs about the MEC’s visit. Equally, many tuck-shops were found to be operating illegally, with illegal foreigners being employed, leading to arrests. Amongst the nabbed were those who were selling expired food.
The landlady who hid the cigarettes for her foreign tenant owned up and directed the officials to where she stashed the illegal stock. She said she did so because she felt she was in danger of been raided by the police at the same time as the shop run by her tenant. Trade in illegal and overpriced cigarette is a major headache for the police during the lockdown.
Shop owners were also charged with breaking the COVID-19 restrictions, including the simple rule of wearing a mask.
In some shops, traders were allegedly sleeping next to their packed items, there were some shops where cats were found loose on the premises, released apparently to catch rats.
Mazibuko futher warned owners of shops that closed due to tip-off’s that they should not feel that they have escaped, because they will be next to be visited. She said the operation would continue for some time to come.
