Municipality in Standerton launches compliance inspection of businesses
The initiative was launched in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs, District Municipality’s Health Services Department, SAPS, Fire and Rescue and the traffic division.
Seipati Modise, the MMC for Community Services and Safety, recently led a community safety forum operation in Ext 6.
According to a statement from Lubabalo Majenge, the communications manager at the Lekwa Municipality, they launched a ground-breaking local business compliance inspection.
They launched the initiative in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs, the district municipality’s health services department, SAPS, fire and rescue and the traffic division.
The primary purpose of this small business audit was to enforce compliance with health and safety standards and to minimise health and safety hazards by prohibiting the sale of expired food products.
They also verified immigration and trade licence documentation.
ALSO CHECK: Govan Mbeki Municipality drags feet to fix flat after fire
Law enforcement officials arrested seven illegal immigrants and issued fines of R3 000 to two business owners not complying with health and safety standards.
The arrested immigrants included six Mozambican men and one Zimbabwean woman.
They issued the fined businesses with compliance notifications and gave them 14 days to comply with health and safety standards and regulations.
Modise said the operation was a proactive measure to address many compliance concerns raised by the community.
ALSO CHECK: Celebrating Women’s Month with a warrior mother from Kinross
“We want to send a clear message to business owners that flouting health and safety regulations and risking the health of their customers will not go unpunished,” she said.
According to the municipality’s statement, authorities are following up by inspecting wholesaler premises to safeguard consumer interests.
They will subject local businesses to checks as part of this audit to detect the existence of expired food products on their shelves.
They expected the operation to become a regular activity, guaranteeing continual monitoring of conformity to food safety rules.
“These acts reflect the municipality’s dedication to upholding the community’s health and safety standards,” the municipality’s statement concluded.
