Latest news with #BusinessAct
The Citizen
01-08-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Tshwane defends Marabastad Market shutdown
Following a recent business by-law operation in Marabastad, Mayor Nasiphi Moya has defended the metro's call to shut the Marabastad Retail Market. The markets of Marabastad are known for being home to a lot of bargain-hunting shoppers, however, the mayor says businesses have been operating without permits or by-law adherence for far too long. 'It is important to remind traders that by-laws exist to protect residents and business operations. 'The mayoral committee has taken a decision to accelerate its priority objective of maintaining a clean and safe city,' she said. Moya has said the retail market is a metro property that has been hijacked, and during the operation, it was reclaimed. The mayor said the building was leased to a person who then decided to sublease it to other people, breaking the terms of the contract with the city. SAPS and Home Affairs officials were also there checking the legal documentation of the traders. The metro plans to use this property to put back value into the market and make it available to credible investors who want to use it. 'Traders at the Marabastad Retail Market failed to produce trading permits as per the City of Tshwane's Street Trading By-Law and Business Act 71 of 1991. 'Trading without permits is illegal in the city, and that is why the Economic Development and Spatial Planning Department recommended that the Marabastad Retail Market should be closed,' Moya said. The mayor says that all traders were informed that they should contact municipal officials to be guided on the process to obtain trading permits. 'Permission to trade is not granted through a lease agreement between a landowner and a trader/business owner. Trading permits and compliance with fire and health safety are required for approved trading. 'The ability to trade or operate a business within the City of Tshwane requires applicants to attend a compulsory workshop on street trading in Tshwane,' she said. The operation resulted in the following: – 43 businesses were inspected. – 36 Section 56 notices were issued for contravention of the Business Act – 6 Section 56 notices were issued for contravention of the Street Trading By-Law – 16 building regulations contravention notices issued. – 1 Section 56 notice issued for contravention of fire safety by-law. – 2 contravention notices issued for fire safety. – 2 illegal electricity connections were disconnected. – 7 businesses were closed immediately on 11th and Boom Street. – 20 stalls were closed immediately. Any person seeking to trade in Tshwane must approach the Economic Development and Spatial Planning Department on the 3rd Floor, Middestad Building, corner Thabo Sehume and Pretorius Street, Pretoria Central, to apply for trading permits. 'The operation conducted in Marabastad forms part of our long-term strategy and will be carried out continuously to ensure that this business district is composed of legitimate businesses,' Moya said. ALSO READ: Industrial Park responds to claims as locals demand access to job opportunities Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Metro to address leasing issues to combat hijacking of buildings
Metro to address leasing issues to combat hijacking of buildings Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya says the metro is aware of its current leasing challenges following several businesses being closed in a recent by-law operation. On June 17, Moya, accompanied by her Mayoral Committee, the TMPD and supporting partners as well as departments, carried out a by-law operation focused on hijacked buildings in Danville, west of Pretoria. A recurring theme throughout the operation was the holes within the metro's leasing systems, leading to confusion, fraud and mismanagement. 'We will continue to reclaim hijacked city properties. We are aware that the city's leasing system has not worked to benefit the municipality's income-generating capacity, and we are determined to fix this,' Moya said. During the operation, an illegal early childhood development (ECD) centre, operating for 22 years from a city-owned property without a lease, was closed. Across the road was a business park, also city-owned, but none of the businesses had valid leases with the metro. 'Danville, like many areas in the city, has seen residents terrorised by crime, drugs and all manner of lawlessness emanating from properties that are owned by the city or by private entities. The other businesses closed were operating in a privately managed building. These included a gambling business, a butchery that was found selling expired meat and a U-Save operating without a licence,' Moya said. A summary of the operation's results includes: – 8 business premises inspected – 2 Section 56 notices issued for contravention of the Business Act – 4 Section 56 notices issued for contravention of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectant Act – 1 Contravention notice issued for the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectant Act – 3 Premises found with an illegal electricity connection – 1 Premise found with an illegal water connection – 2 arrests were made for illegal immigration and possession of stolen goods – 3 vehicles impounded – 1 gambling business entered forcefully – 5 businesses closed. We've just shutdown an illegal ECD in Danville. The people living in this place have no lease with the city and have hijacked our property. We found a fake TMPD jacket and SANDF uniform. @CityTshwane — Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) June 17, 2025 Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
