Twelve illegal businesses operating in the East London CBD were shut down and nine undocumented foreign nationals arrested during a two-day raid conducted by the Buffalo City Metro (BCM) security cluster, which began on Thursday and ended on Friday, March 28.
The twelve businesses including spaza shops and food outlets operating in the East London CBD and North End, were closed for various violations, such as breaching municipal bylaws, operating without valid licenses, non-compliance with environmental and hygiene standards, and failing to meet tax and imigration requirements.
The nine foreign shopkeepers were arrested for being in the country illegally after failing to provide legal identification documents.
They were handed over to the Home Affairs Immigration Unit for verification and processing in accordance with the Immigration Act, with the possibility of deportation.
At least 24 spaza shops including food-selling premises, were inspected, revealing significant business violations. Illicit good worth R25 000 were removed from the shelves.
Prohibited items, such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides and cosmetics valued at R49 500, were confiscated during the operation.
Buffalo City Metro’s General Manager for Environmental Health Services, Luyanda Madikizela, said three business licenses were revoked, and the owners were fined R2 500 following the issuing of warrants of arrest.
“The operation revealed alarming instances of non-compliance including businesses lacking necessary legal documentation to operate,” said Madikizela.
BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya stated that the Metro will continue with its multi-stakeholder joint operation targeting illegal spaza shops and food selling businesses to ensure compliance with bylaws, health standards and safety regulations.
Local resident Olunje Ramncwana suggested that the Metro should consider granting business operating permits to local citizens and providing funding for those interested in running spaza shops.
BCM has since closed over 600 spaza shops to date due to non-compliance with regulations and municipal bylaws.
