A total of 147 businesses were issued with fines for operating without the necessary licenses or failing to comply with legal trading requirements.
This was done when Overstrand law enforcement officers conducted unannounced inspections at businesses across the Overstrand between 15 February and 21 March in an effort to clamp down on illegal traders and businesses.
The Overstrand municipal manager, Dean O’Neill, reports that the fines were issued for contraventions ranging from operating without a business licence to business owners who do not comply with legal trading requirements.
“Operators who are without the necessary permits have been given a few days to obtain the relevant documentation or they too will face fines. In some instances the establishments were closed down until they obtained the necessary licenses.”
O’Neill added that these inspections will continue throughout the Overstrand to ensure compliance to business and health and safety regulations.
Lindile Ntsabo, deputy mayor and member of the mayoral committee for protection services, stated that these law enforcement operations were part of ongoing efforts to “promote a fair and competitive business environment in the Overstrand area and to ensure that businesses and traders adhere to regulations that are there to facilitate growth and safeguard the public”.
The inspections were also conducted with the support of key partners in the law enforcement sector, including the Overberg District Municipality’s health department.
