The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), in collaboration with various stakeholders, including City of Tshwane waste management and health inspectors, conducted joint operations aimed at enforcing by-law compliance in Mamelodi and Montana on Tuesday.
The TMPD members in Region 2 Sector 2 conducted operations in the Montana area aimed at ensuring business compliance.
The operation uncovered notable City by-law violations.
Numerous street hawkers were found operating without the necessary permits and were charged accordingly: 26 suspects were arrested, of which 20 were undocumented immigrants arrested for being in the country illegally, two were arrested for fraud and four were arrested for public drinking.
In the Mamelodi area, regional policing members conducted another by-law operation on the same day.
The operation yielded positive outcomes as numerous local small businesses were inspected, resulting in the issuance of nine Section 56 infringement notices to those failing to comply with trading regulations.
Expired products were removed off shelves and confiscated. Business owners were charged for employing undocumented immigrants, leading to the arrest of six undocumented immigrants.
The TMPD urges the public to recognise that trading in public areas or on sidewalks requires a permit.