Ward 31 councillor launches business compliance check-up and area clean-up operation

THE eThekwini Municipality’s Department of Water and Sanitation, Department of Health and Safety, Fire Department, Parks Department, Environmental Health Department, along with the Presidential Employment Programme (PEP) members, Durban Solid Waste (DSW), Ward 31 committee members and Metro Police representatives, hosted a four-day clean-up operation in Ward 31 called Operation Good Hope.

The clean-up operation was conducted from Monday, November 21 until Thursday, November 24, where the involved departments and organisations, as a united front, proceeded to clear rubbish and litter from areas and streets that fall under Ward 31.

According to Ward 31 councillor Remona Mckenzie, another main focus of the operation was to ensure that businesses in the area are compliant. “We went to businesses to determine if the business vendors have permits, we searched for expired goods that were still being sold, we determined manufacturing and expiry dates, and checked to ensure that businesses were following refuse-collection protocols and labour-law legislation,” said Mckenzie.

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The councillor said that the following streets were identified as hotspots – areas where they identified the largest proximity of non-compliance – Randles Road, Sparks Road and Brickfield Road.

“We look forward to more of these operation clean-ups. I will be monitoring and making sure that the departments are constantly investigating and addressing these issues. We found businesses that were non-compliant, and these businesses were fined accordingly and were given proper documentation to ensure they comply with the bylaws of the municipality. I have also had a meeting with DSW, and we will be conducting blitz operation clean-ups with education included. We will be having regular meetings for planning purposes,” said Mckenzie.

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The councillor says the community was extremely pleased with the outcome, “People were very happy that it was taking place. There was a lot of positive feedback, and the community and people did say that it needs to be done in many of the areas in the ward because there are quite a few areas that need attention. But we can assure the community that Operation Good Hope will be an ongoing process.”