JMPD crackdown on illegal businesses

FOLLOWING numerous complaints from Melville residents about illegal business operating in the area and creating disturbances, the Joburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) and Emergency Management Services (EMS), this week blitzed the area and closed down six establishments.

And, illegal businesses have been warned that this will take place weekly.

Operation Buya Mthetho Night Life reacted after several residents lodged complaints to the Department of Public Safety regarding the unscrupulous and non-compliant manner in which some of the establishments in the area conducted their businesses. The grievances included criminal activities, blatant by-law infringements and non-adherence to traffic regulations.

The department deployed 80 JMPD officers, two EMS inspectors and 37 traffic wardens to conduct the operation, inspecting 11 establishments for safety compliance and crime prevention, said member of the mayoral committee for public safety, Michael Sun.

Seven of these businesses were found to be non-compliant and issued with citations.

Out of the seven businesses inspected, four were closed down for contravening various fire safety regulations which posed serious safety risks to their patrons. Further contraventions included lack of emergency exits, signage on escape routes and fire extinguishers.

Said Sun: “We want to support businesses in the city and see them flourish, but ensuring safety and combating criminal activities are non-negotiable. When the residents in Melville told us what was happening, we took immediate action to deal with the problems. We hope through intervention and guidance, the contraventions will be rectified and businesses can continue to serve their patrons legally and safely.

“We also want to state in no uncertain terms that Operation Buya Mthetho will be a regular occurrence in the area and we will be involving other role players such as the Gauteng Provincial Liquor Board, Environmental Health and the South African Police Services as part of the operation,” he added.

Operation Buya Mthetho Night Life will continue every week citywide to ensure offenders adhere to the laws and by-laws.