KuGompo City residents hail crackdown on illegal businesses

The Buffalo City Metro has intensified its crackdown on illegalspaza shopswith a joint operation leading to the closure of 12 businesses and the arrest of eight foreign nationals in connection with suspected immigration offences. The operation involving municipal law enforcement officials, the police and the department of home affairs took place in Quigney, KuGompo City, on April 30. A total of 18 premises were inspected during the operation, the majority owned by foreign nationals.

Quigney Ratepayers’ Association secretary Lwandy Ngebe described the operation as a necessary intervention to enforce compliance with health, safety and municipal by-laws. She said residents had raised concerns about hygiene standards, overcrowding and unregulated trading. It is equally concerning that some of these businesses have been allowed to operate for extended periods without proper monitoring or enforcement She also raised concerns about the lack of follow-up enforcement after raids.

“The closures are viewed as a positive intervention aimed at restoring order, improving public safety and ensuring fair and lawful business practices,” Ngebe said. “However, we remain concerned about the attitude displayed by some shop owners, who have shown disregard for by-laws and the safety of the community. “It is equally concerning that some of these businesses have been allowed to operate for extended periods without proper monitoring or enforcement.” Municipal spokesperson Bongani Fuzile said the businesses would be allowed to reopen once they complied with municipal requirements.