This comes after the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment, and Tourism (LEDET) promised to see young South Africans rebuild and reclaim the township economy. “I’m adamant that economic reconstruction efforts require immediate, coordinated, and tough action by the provincial government if we are to assist our citizens in reclaiming township and rural business spaces and creating the much-required job opportunities,” LEDET MEC Rodgers Monama stated.
The campaign was a collaboration between LEDET, Home Affairs, police, Business Regulations, Consumer Affairs, Liquor Affairs, and the Limpopo Gambling Board. A countless number of outlets including taverns were raided and those foreign-owned outlets that did not comply with regulations, such as products that had expired, were arrested. Some of the people who were arrested operated gambling
machines without permits, and some were without legal documentation to be in the country.
Also read: Community assists in stopping crime
The people that were in the country illegally were arrested and those who sold expired products were given a fine. At most of the shops, police discovered that the premises, such as superettes, were also used as living quarters, which is not allowed. “We are not xenophobic, but we are concerned about the health of our people. We found bread with mold on the shelves, which is a serious threat to the lives of our people. We will continue these raids on a regular basis for the sake of our people,” said Monama.
The raids were partly motivated by complaints from community members of shopkeepers selling expired goods, removing expiry dates, and re-stamping alternative expiry dates on consumable goods, as well as selling foreign or unapproved goods. Home Affairs manager in Mopani, Florence Mazibuko told the Herald that the selling of expired items, and using storerooms as bedrooms, are growing and concerning trends. The suspects appeared before the Lulekani Magistrate’s Court.
