The Midvaal Local Municipality on Tuesday cracked down on non-compliant businesses in Midvaal during a multi-agency compliance operation.

During the operation, officials allegedly uncovered illegal electricity connections, expired food products, counterfeit cigarettes and other alleged by-law violations at businesses. Areas visited included Riversdale and Highbury.

Various roleplayers, including officials from the municipality’s Engineering, Electrical, Water, Building Control and Fire departments, worked together with the South African Police Service (SAPS), Immigration officials and the law enforcement task team to inspect businesses for compliance with municipal by-laws, health regulations and immigration requirements.

The Executive Mayor of the Midvaal Local Municipality, Alderman Peter Teixeira, was personally on the scene to oversee the operation alongside officials from various municipal departments, SAPS and Immigration authorities.

Midvaal Executive Mayor Peter Teixeira checking expiry dates on products at a store in Riversdale during a multi-agency compliance operation targeting non-compliant businesses. Photo: Christiaan Cloete
Speaking to Vaalweekblad, he said the operation forms part of ongoing enforcement efforts to ensure compliance and maintain law and order across the municipality.

He said similar operations have become necessary as pressure increases on smaller municipalities following stricter enforcement in larger metros.

“It comes in light of what is happening in Johannesburg and those places,” Teixeira said on the scene. “You will see that the City of Joburg and Tshwane, for example, are putting pressure on illegal businesses. The harder immigration pushes that side, the more people come this way. They come to small towns.”

Teixeira said communities frequently raise concerns about illegal activities and overcrowded living conditions linked to certain properties.

“The problem with that is if you are undocumented and illegal in this country, it means that if you have committed a crime, they can’t track and trace you,” he said. “That is why it is important that we do these operations. They must see that there is law and order and authorities on the ground.”

During inspections, officials allegedly uncovered counterfeit cigarettes, expired and allegedly unsafe food products, poor hygiene conditions, and instances where people were found sleeping inside business premises.

At one store, officials allegedly found dented cans being sold at discounted prices, while other premises were flagged for illegal electricity connections and suspected water bypasses.

Authorities said fines linked to illegal electricity connections alone could amount to as much as R120 000.

Teixeira said the municipality remains focused on tackling illegal utility connections and ensuring compliance across all business sectors.

“So I personally came here today. That is how serious I am about this,” he said. “It would not be possible without our stakeholders. SAPS, Home Affairs, Immigration and others. It becomes more effective if we have all roleplayers involved.”

Police spokesperson Nompumelelo Zazini confirmed that four people had been arrested during the operation by the time officials reached Highbury, adding that the municipality conducts monthly compliance operations.