
SARS to support metro's Reclaim Our City operations
Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya said the illicit trade market has had negative impacts on the metro's communities and economy.
Moya insists that through partnerships with fellow government stakeholders, the illicit trade market in Tshwane can be stamped out.
'We welcome SARS as a partner to the administration's commitment to deal with illegal businesses. Hundreds of operations have been conducted in the past nine months by the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), in collaboration with SAPS, the Department of Home Affairs and the Gauteng Community Safety Department,' she said.
Since the start of the year, the metro has undertaken weekly by-law operations to address rampant lawlessness in and around the CBD and other parts of the metro under the operation dubbed 'Reclaim Our City'.
The Mayoral Committee and the city's senior management met with SARS, led by Patrick Moeng, Chairperson of the Inter-Agency Working Group on Illicit Trade (IAWG-IT), on May 27.
The meeting was to discuss programmes which would address illicit trade.
The mayor said the initiative has already seen successes, and with SARS on board, it will intensify.
The programmes have led to the closure of businesses and the arrest of dozens of illegal immigrants.
Last week, the city uncovered an illegal paraffin distribution centre in Mamelodi that posed a danger to the lives of residents.
'This SARS collaboration will have a direct impact on the city's governance processes, help mitigate corruption, fraud and illegal practices, and improve Tshwane's economy and the lives of our most vulnerable residents,' Moya said.
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