To curb illegal trading and the unlawful occupation and use of municipal hawker facilities in Nqweba Town, the Sundays River Valley Municipality (SRVM) partnered with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Home Affairs, and local security companies in a coordinated operation recently.

Led by Mayor Solethu Lucas, Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services and Public Safety, Cllr. Karen Smith, and ward councillors, the team visited all hawker facilities and stalls in the town to assess compliance in the following areas:

• Possession of valid trading permits

• Illegal occupation of hawker facilities

• Unlawful electricity and water connections

• Illegal sale of prohibited products such as drugs

• Valid documentation for foreign nationals

Hawkers found operating illegally, were issued with notices to vacate the premises within seven days and dismantle any illegal structures.

Foreign nationals without the required documents were arrested.

This joint operation forms part of the municipality’s ongoing efforts to enhance community safety, enforce by-laws, ensure fair and legal trading practices, and improve revenue collection.

Mayor Lucas issued a stern warning to non-compliant traders:

“We are committed to ensuring that our town is safe and that all business operations comply with the law, anyone who refuses to cooperate will face the full might of the law,” he warned.

Similar enforcement blitzes will continue being conducted.