Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality | 33 FOREIGN NATIONALS ARRESTED AND 8 SHOPS CLOSED AS METRO TARGETS ILLEGAL SHOPS IN VINCENT AND BEACON BAY

33 FOREIGN NATIONALS ARRESTED AND 8 SHOPS CLOSED AS METRO TARGETS ILLEGAL SHOPS IN VINCENT AND BEACON BAY
In a bid to enforce Bylaws safety, a coordinated crackdown operation was carried out by Buffalo City Metro together with the Safety and Security cluster on Wednesday, 09 July 2024.

The raid operation targeted non-compliant entities that are transgressing the City’s Bylaws.

The raid operation commenced in Vincent and culminated in Beacon Bay and Nompumelelo.

The first operation resulted in closure of six premises being issued probation orders in Vincent.

The City’s Law Enforcement Services has sought assistance from Cambridge Police Station and Beacon Bay Police station to carry out monitoring and ensure ongoing compliance in the area. A total of 20 individuals were arrested in Beacon Bay for operating businesses on municipal land without permission. Two premises were raided and will remain shut indefinitely with the support of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the area.

“The containers used by these businesses have to be removed and any attempts to reopen will result in further arrests. We will ensure that we will not issue documentation to illegal foreign nationals,” said Acting General Manager Luyanda Madikizela.

The operation yielded the following results:

* 33 Foreigners arrested (13 in Vincent & 20 in Beacon Bay).

* 6 Shops closed in Vincent & 2 in Beacon Bay.

* 5 Admission of guilt Fines/ Section 56 Notices at R1000 each. Total - R5000.

* 1 wooden shack dismantled in Beacon Bay. A TLB & a Truck (SW) to start cleaning the area in the morning.

The Metro is targeting to keep the closed spazas closed permanently until they comply with daily patrols to be conducted.