By Tabisa Mntengwana
23 February 2010

SEVEN businesses have been raided and two closed down for non-compliance with by-laws during the City’s law enforcement clampdown, which kicked off in the first week of February.

According to a press statement issued by the municipality, the campaign – targeting businesses that ignore municipal by-laws – will be intensified this weekend.

The operation was prompted by numerous public complaints about businesses operating outside their licensing conditions. “As we head towards the World Cup, we need to ensure that the safety of our people in Buffalo City is of paramount importance,” said the municipal spokesperson, Samkelo Ngwenya.

It is running concurrently with a drunk driving blitz, in which more than 400 motorists were arrested last weekend for driving under the influence of alcohol, driving without licences and other offences. The operation is spearheaded by the City's law enforcement and traffic services.

Other places that were raided have been issued with strict time-bound warnings. Areas visited so far include Duncan Village, Vincent and Cambridge. “We will target all establishments in Buffalo City including restaurants, bars, clubs and taverns to check if they are complying with laws and by-laws,” says the City.

Ngwenya added that the operation was aimed at rooting out all illegal elements and at clamping down on businesses that flouted by-laws. Involved in the operation are stakeholders such as the City's disaster management unit, fire and rescue team, municipal business licensing, municipal health services and planning division, the Eastern Cape Liquor Board and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

During the raids, officials give business owners information on what procedures need to be followed when applying for a business permit. They also check whether businesses comply with all their standards and by-laws.

The fire and rescue division checks for things like access for fire fighting and rescue purposes; availability of fire protection equipment; safety signs; and adequate availability of escape routes, fire escape doors and emergency exists.

The City planning division checks zoning requirements, land usage compliancy and building control measurements. Traffic services checks for violations of traffic laws, motorist and pedestrian safety, and traffic compliancy.

The Eastern Cape Liquor Board checks the general conditions applicable to all licence holders, such as not selling alcohol to anyone under the age of 18, and the SAPS checks the safety of patrons and whether any illegal activities are taking place.

Other standards and regulations that are checked include loud music, whether speakers and audio equipment is placed outside the premises, and the drinking of alcohol in and around the premises other than the area demarcated for drinking.

The registrant is obliged to report such activities to the nearest police station.