South Africa

Tshwane cracks down on by-law violations

12 hours ago
5 min read

The Tshwane metro initiated its first of many by-law infringement operations this week.

With the start of 2025, the Metro introduced the “Reclaim Our City” by-law enforcement operation on January 9 which tackled areas such as the Pretoria CBD and parts of the West of Pretoria.

This multi-departmental effort, involving SAPS, the Department of Home Affairs, TMPD, and the metro’s health, environment, and agriculture management departments, aims to address rising crime and by-law violations.

In the Tshwane Central Business District (CBD), the operations were conducted in the streets around Tshwane House.

The enforcement operations tackled the deteriorating state of law adherence, particularly in health, safety, and licensing regulations in the CBD.

Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya during the inspection. Photo supplied.

This first enforcement drive uncovered severe violations in spaza shops, unlicensed businesses, and neglected building regulations, and sent a strong message that the metro is determined to bring order to the heart of Pretoria.

According to the Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya, one of the primary focuses of the Reclaim Our City initiative is ensuring compliance with business regulations.

Moya said the operation revealed a troubling pattern of businesses operating without licenses, including several spaza shops.

In these establishments, expired food products and alcohol were confiscated due to the lack of health inspections and environmental compliance. These shops were immediately shut down.

The operation uncovered a car dealership on Sisulu Street that has been operating illegally. The dealership has been abandoned, with several vehicles still present on the premises, including an ambulance from the Eastern Cape.

 

Moya said the Metro’s quick response ensured that the business was shut down for failing to meet the required standards.

Law enforcement also found two buildings violating safety codes.

“One building had been illegally converted into a crèche without proper registration or adherence to safety regulations,” said Moya.

 

“Another structure, under renovation to become a crèche, was also condemned due to violations of building codes. These buildings will face further action from the metro as part of a broader crackdown on unsafe and unregulated operations in the CBD.”

Moya said another alarming trend addressed by the operation is the issue of hijacked Metro-owned buildings.

Moya highlighted how criminals have taken over public buildings, using them to generate income without contributing to the metro’s economy or paying municipal bills.

A nightclub operating out of a metro-owned building was shut down for such infractions, with bills being paid to unknown entities instead of the municipality.

“We flagged Drakensberg Flats on Nana Sita Street was flagged as unsafe, with electricity and water disconnected. Hundreds of residents have been sustaining themselves using a fire hydrant for water. This issue is a clear reflection of the safety and health risks posed by such hijacked or misused properties,” she said.

The metro plans to scale up the initiative, with raids set to occur twice a week, both day and night, focusing on eradicating unsafe buildings and regulating business activities in the CBD.

On January 10, Laudium was also not spared as officials visited several problematic areas not adhering to by-laws were also visited.

 

 

 

Mayor Moya emphasised the need to ensure buildings comply with safety and health standards, warning owners of privately-owned buildings that law violations will not be tolerated.

“A metro that works is a metro that enforces its laws. Tshwane will not be a safe haven for lawbreakers, and we will continue to act decisively to protect our residents.”

ALSO READ: Mamelodi resident crowned at beauty pageant in Philippines

Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram

At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here.

You may also like

About the author

Blessing Obinna

Blessing Obinna is a dynamic journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that matter. She specializes in entertainment, lifestyle, and societal trends, bringing fresh perspectives to every article she writes for eNews Nigeria.

View all posts