Govt guards against attacks on foreigners

Lack of inspectorate capacity at municipalities, the Department of Health and Consumer Protection are some of the factors which may lead to looting, violence and damage to property of foreign businesses due to the sale of expired goods as seen in other provinces.
This was identified at the recent special joint committee on public safety meeting held by the Provincial Government . Briefing journalists at the Post Executive Council (Exco) meeting last Thursday, Provincial Government spokesperson Phuti Seloba indicated that a lack of coordination of health and safety inspectorate oversight in the province could perpetuate such violence.
He further said the Exco met last Wednesday and it was resolved that the committee should develop a multi-disciplinary operational plan with all stakeholder departments to deal with illicit goods, expired foodstuff and illegal businesses. “The Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs will develop and coordinate municipal bylaws to govern formal and informal traders. This is to ensure that bylaws are uniform and enforceable at a provincial level while municipalities implement provisions of the Limpopo Business Regulation Act,” Seloba explained.
He added that the Department of Health will coordinate a report on the extent and status of quality of food content, quality of goods and services provided by businesses and reiterated that consumer education and awareness will be strengthened in the communities. Seloba concluded by saying a Provincial Inspectorate Coordinating Committee will be established to ensure a coordinated approach by inspectorate stakeholder departments towards the prevention and management of the above-mentioned identified risks.
Last month, Capricorn District Executive Mayor John Mpe launched Operation Hlasela which investigated over 45 outlets in the city and nearby townships and a team consisting of Department of Home Affairs immigration officials and Police and health inspectors discovered unsound foodstuffs in some of these outlets and arrested at least 30 illegal immigrants.

Story & photo: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za