The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) conducted by-law operations in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and other relevant role players around Tshwane.
The operations are aimed at tackling the issue of small businesses who do not comply with the regulations of the Businesses Act, 1991 (Act 71 of 1991), which is a persistent problem in the city.
A by-law operation was conducted in Hammanskraal in the Kanana and Themba area on 29 October 2024.
TMPD spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said the operation was a success and produced great results where one undocumented foreign national was arrested and detained at a local police station and eight Section 56 infringement notices were issued for businesses trading without trading licenses.
Meanwhile in Region 6 in Mamelodi, another by-law operation was conducted focusing on business compliance.
“The operation successfully produced good results corroborated by 16 spaza shops being visited and inspected for business compliance,” said Mahamba.
He said among the shops visited; nine shops were closed.
A total of 21 Section 56 infringement notices were issued to businesses who did not comply.
During the operation, 15 illegal immigrants were arrested and detained at a local police station.
These operations are crucial as they help clamp down on businesses selling counterfeit and expired goods to ensure the safety of the community.
In a separate incident on the same day in Atteridgeville, TMPD members arrested a spaza shop owner for bribery during the by-law operation. Members were conducting a by-law operation for business trading compliance when a shop owner tried to bribe them, and the suspect was arrested for bribery and the shop was closed.
“The TMPD is determined to ensure adherence to the law and to enforce the law without fear or favour on any business or individual who is in contravention of the law,” he said.