The City’s Bad Buildings Committee has intensified its law-enforcement in Pretoria West photos supplied
By Cllr Kholofelo Morodi
MMC for Corporate and Shared Services
The City’s Bad Buildings Committee has intensified its law-enforcement blitz in Pretoria West, resulting in the arrest of a defiant property owner who attempted to undermine municipal authority.
During a follow-up operation this week, officials revisited several establishments previously shut down for non-compliance.
At the centre of the operation was Maqayada Restaurant, which had earlier been closed and disconnected from electricity.
On a third inspection, the owner was found to have illegally tampered with municipal infrastructure, unlawfully sourced electricity from neighbouring properties, and was in possession of stolen municipal cables.
A formal criminal case has been opened. The city will monitor proceedings closely.
This brazen disregard for the rule of law will not go unchallenged.
In a separate case, officials returned to a property with unlawfully constructed buildings and R42 000 in outstanding debt.
Despite previous disconnections of water and electricity, the owners had illegally reconnected services.
Operation Impact:
•11 formal notices issued
•3 health and safety violations
•2 building regulation contraventions and 3 fire safety violations.
Immediate enforcement actions taken; water and electricity disconnections and confiscation of illegal cables and meter boxes.
We are confronting a culture of lawlessness head-on.
The message is clear:
Defiance will be met with decisive action.
The Bad Buildings Committee remains committed to restoring law, order, and
economic integrity in our city.
We have the political will and we will continue these operations weekly to ensure compliance and protect residents.
The era of impunity is over.
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