Yesterday, as part of our ongoing work to ensure by-law compliance in Tshwane, the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) and the Economic Development and Spatial Planning Department shut down a waste storage and sorting business that was operating unlawfully in the inner city.
The business, which operated on City-owned property, could not produce a valid lease agreement from the City. Furthermore, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, as the issuing authority of waste storage and sorting permits, also confirmed that they have no record of the business operations.
As a clear contravention of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act 59 of 2008) and operating without a valid lease, the owner was given seven days to clear the site entirely. The TMPD will monitor the site on a regular basis going forward and ensure that the only vehicles moving in and out of the premises are removal trucks to clear all material.
By-laws are laws that are passed by the council of a municipality to regulate the affairs and services the municipality provides in its area of jurisdiction. We therefore call on all businesses, residents and visitors alike to obey the by-laws and keep Tshwane clean and orderly.
It’s worth noting that today, I will be joining our revenue collection teams where we disconnect defaulting clients.
Our multiparty coalition government will not tolerate lawlessness or any lack of compliance by local businesses. We will continue to conduct these operations, issue fines, or even shut down businesses when necessary.