An integrated service delivery operation was recently conducted in Lehae Phase 1 and Zakariyya Park, bringing together several City departments and entities, including Augmented Field Services, Johannesburg Water, CRUM Region G, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), City Parks and Zoo, Public Works Programme (PWP), Integrated Visible and Service Delivery (IVSD), Emergency Management Services (EMS), and City Power.
The operation was attended by Regional Director Mr Mickey Padayachee and the MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services (GCSS), Cllr Sithembiso Zungu, who expressed appreciation to all officials and stakeholders for their commitment and collaboration in delivering services directly to communities.
“We appreciate every department and entity that continues to work together in ensuring our communities remain compliant and well serviced,” said Cllr Zungu.
During the operation, Joburg Water replaced a faulty valve to improve water infrastructure in the area, while the JRA carried out scoffling and litter-picking activities to enhance the cleanliness and accessibility of public spaces. City Power officials conducted electricity connection audits and repaired faulty street lighting to improve safety and service reliability.
Compliance inspections formed a key part of the operation, with several businesses inspected to ensure adherence to municipal bylaws and legislative requirements.
In Lehae Phase 1, Abay Supermarket was found to be operating without the required approved building plans. The owner was issued with a compliance notice and granted 30 days to submit the outstanding building plans. During the inspection, it was established that the business was being operated by an undocumented foreign national. JMPD officials took the individual to the police station for further processing in accordance with the law.
A second business, TDF Supermarket, was also inspected. Officials found that the operator was a documented asylum holder and that the business complied with the relevant municipal requirements. As part of the operation, all spaza shops inspected were requested to produce documentation confirming their legal status and compliance with applicable legislation.
In Zakariyya Park, officials investigated reports of an alleged illegal mortuary operating from a property situated at the corner of Chille and Borage Streets. Following a thorough inspection, no mortuary was found. Officials established that the premise was being used as a prayer room where funeral prayers are conducted before the deceased is taken to the gravesite.
Another residential property in Zakariyya Park was found to be operating a vehicle spray-painting business without the necessary land use approvals, consent use, or appropriate zoning. A warning was issued to the property owner to address the identified non-compliance.
Thus, EMS conducted inspections at six premises in Lehae Phase 1 and Zakariyya Park for compliance with EMS bylaws. Four shops received warnings (No: 62115, 62116, 62118 and 62119) for failing to submit approved building plans. A tavern was issued Warning No: 62117 for the same offence, while a residential property being used as a workshop and vehicle spray-painting business received Warning No: 62104.
These integrated operations play an important role in safeguarding public health and safety and ensuring that economic activities are conducted within the framework of the law. The City encourages all business owners and property owners to ensure that they obtain the necessary approvals to avoid enforcement action during future compliance operations.
SUPPLIED
