February 12, 2003
By Tendai Dhliwayo
MORE than 50 spaza shops operating illegally in Yeoville were shut down on Wednesday during a swoop by the sheriff of the Johannesburg High Court, Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
According to Informal Business Forum (IBF) spokesperson, Edmund Elias, at least 300 people, including the notorious Wozani Security, better known as the "red ants", took part in the raids, loading goods into at least 20 eight-ton trucks as well as bulldozing some structures, erected illegally. Elias claimed that some spaza shop owners had their money taken in the process.
Following the crackdown, the IBF launched a scathing attack on the council action saying, "Council is waging a relentless campaign against black entrepreneurship in areas previously occupied by whites. The law in Yeoville, where there is pressure from white commercial property owners, is different to the law in Soweto. This is blatant racism, enforced by a group of non-elected bureaucrats."
Metal-cutting and demolition equipment were employed in the closure of illegal structures composed of spaza shops, telephone booths, repair or spray-painting shops as well as shebeens.
Council spokesperson, Mbangwa Xaba, said the City of Johannesburg welcomed the swoop as it was beneficial to its objective to rejuvenate the inner city as an economic node as well as to rid the city of crime.
"The city's strategic objective of creating a world-class city continues to be undermined by persistent perceptions of lawlessness, lack of safe and healthy environment and lack of sustainable by-law enforcement. It is in that context that we welcome the pronouncements of the court and the actions of the sheriff," said mayoral committee member, Sol Cowan.
The IBF countered, saying spaza shops are an accepted norm in most areas, providing service and convenience to millions of South Africans.
Amid the entire drama, the City's waste management utility, Pikitip, was in the vicinity of the proceedings - sprucing up affected areas by picking up rubble from the flattened structures.
