VANDERBIJLPARK – Another week, another crackdown.
This time, businesses in Vanderbijlpark’s busy CBD found themselves in the municipality’s crosshairs as officials swooped on shops suspected of breaking the law.
Several shops were closed during an unannounced operation on October 28, targeting illegal trading, suspected electricity theft, and businesses allegedly operating outside municipal regulations.
The blitz was led by Emfuleni Local Municipality Executive Mayor Hassan Mako, who was joined by a team of municipal officials and law enforcement agencies.
And the message was loud and clear: those allegedly dodging the rules are on notice.
According to the municipality, the operation targeted businesses suspected of operating without the necessary authorisation, using illegal electricity connections and failing to comply with applicable business regulations.
Officials also focused on premises where immigration compliance concerns had been raised.
The multidisciplinary team included the municipality’s Local Economic Development Department, its By-Laws Unit, the informal business inspection team, the South African Police Service (SAPS), Home Affairs and immigration officials.
During the operation, several businesses were closed in line with applicable enforcement procedures.
Individuals whose immigration status required verification were also taken in by SAPS and immigration officials for further processing and investigation.
The municipality said the operation uncovered suspected illegal electricity connections and allegedly tampered electrical infrastructure at several business premises.
These findings raised concerns about possible electricity theft and businesses allegedly bypassing the municipality’s billing system.
But that was not all.
The municipality also raised concerns about landlords allegedly supplying electricity to makeshift business structures through unauthorised or fraudulent connections.
If proven, such practices could place additional pressure on the municipality’s finances while leaving compliant businesses and residents carrying their share of the electricity costs.
The municipality warned that property owners cannot simply rent out premises for commercial activities and wash their hands of what happens on their properties.
Landlords and business owners are expected to comply with municipal by-laws, electricity regulations, zoning requirements and other applicable laws.
Mako made it clear that the municipality would not allow illegal business activities and electricity theft to continue unchecked.
“You can run, but you cannot hide forever. We have a responsibility to know and protect the interests of the communities we serve,” he said.
He warned that illegal trading, electricity theft and the deliberate circumvention of municipal regulations had to be confronted.
The mayor said the operation was not just about closing shops or inspecting business premises.
It was also about protecting municipal revenue, safeguarding public infrastructure and ensuring that businesses operated according to the law.
“We cannot allow a situation in which law-abiding businesses pay for their electricity and comply with the rules, while others allegedly steal electricity, operate without the required authorisation and disregard the regulations governing commercial activity,” he said.
Mako added that such alleged practices were unfair to compliant traders and residents and could undermine the municipality’s ability to deliver services.
The municipality also reported that some businesses closed their doors before officials could inspect them.
It said the circumstances surrounding these closures might require further investigation.
However, the closures alone do not establish that the businesses were operating illegally.
The municipality warned that Wednesday’s operation would not be a once-off exercise.
Businesses suspected of continuing unlawful activities could face further inspections and investigations.
