November 23, 2007
By Lesego Madumo
FAKE driving licences, unlicensed firearms, unroadworthy and stolen vehicles, businesses operating without permits – these were some of the transgressions that were uncovered during a two-day blitz in Region E.
The law-enforcement operation was held on the corner of Louis Botha Avenue and Athol Street in Highlands North, and Balfour Park from 21 to 22 November.
On the scene, there was a very strong contingent of personnel from the South African Police Service, Johannesburg metropolitan police, Pikitup, City Power, Johannesburg Roads Agency, and environmental health practitioners.
The blitz was held to enforce by-laws and encourage businesses to comply with health and safety regulations.
According to Gideon Cruywagen, the regional manager for urban management and service delivery, it was geared to reinforce the law in general. "We are not here to harass people, we want to reinforce the law and make sure that there is compliance."
It was a successful operation, he added. "Every time we go back to check for sustainability, we discover that there is behavioural change … There is progress."
Although some of the business owners were hostile about the blitz, others saw it as a good initiative. "You guys must just go on and enforce by-laws," said one.
Several businesses were caught operating on private premises without permits or business operation licences. Some were given warnings while others were forced to shutdown until they complied. "In some cases we discovered that these people used toilets as storage rooms," Cruywagen noted. They were fined and warned to stop the practice.
One businessman was issued with several warnings for running a business in an unhygienic place. It was used for cooking and selling liquor, and was infested with cockroaches and other insects. He also didn't have a permit.
Gas cylinders were impounded because there were not any fire extinguishers. He was issued with a R1 000 fine for the offence. According to safety regulations, every workplace should have its fire extinguishers serviced frequently, for the safety of employees. A fine for not complying with this law could amount to R2 000.
Ready for duty across Region E
The police used a mobile connectivity device, which uses fingerprints to check criminal history and to find out whether people are wanted by the police. "It automatically links to the internet, noticing if you have a valid ID or unlicensed firearms, or if you are connected to any crime syndicate that might be wanted by the police," captain Marcelle Alvis said.
Suspects caught out by the device were arrested and taken to Norwood Police Station, from where they would be linked to the police station where they were wanted. The system can also check if a vehicle has been certified roadworthy and whether a person's driving licence is valid.
"The police are chasing and closing in on criminals," Alvis said. "We are making the [city] a very small place for them."
He was speaking after several vehicles, mainly taxis, were found to be either unroadworthy or stolen.
Igneous Jona, a metro police inspector, confirmed that three suspects were arrested on the first day of the operation. "Two were charged with driving stolen vehicles and one was on the run for armed robbery." Two illegal immigrants were also arrested as they did not have identity cards and work permits.
A taxi driver, who fled when he saw the police, was arrested but released after it was found he was not wanted for any crime. It appeared he had played a joke on the police and he was warned not to do it again. "His car is roadworthy and he has a valid driving licence, therefore we have to release him," Jona said.
Phindi Lethoko, an operations manager in Region E, said the clampdown was part of the City's contribution to service delivery. "We have major law contraveners in this region; we always have to monitor if people comply with the law."
During the blitz, officers evaluated buildings, checking on aspects like the safety of workers and their environment. Such blitzes are held to inform business owners and residents of the law, and to urge them to comply with municipal by-laws and national health legislation regarding erecting buildings and running businesses.
Lethoko said the operation was held to ensure that people were living in safe, clean, and healthy environments and that they complied with by-laws. Several business premises were inspected, with environmental health practitioners on the lookout for environmental hazards and irregularities.
"This is in line with the executive mayor's strategic priorities of a safe, clean and green city."
Region E is composed of Sandton, Alexandra, Orange Grove, Balfour Park, and Bramley, among others suburbs.
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