Johannesburg Metro Police (JMPD) have issued a notice to halt unauthorised activities at an establishment in Constantia Kloof.
On 20 October, JMPD personnel and Ward 89 councillor Amelia Bester attended to a complaint from residents about what appeared to be gambling joint inside an appliance business.
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According to Bester, the sign at the entrance gave the impression that a laser business operates from the premises. She said one of the staff members told them they used to have an internet café sign up.
She also said that upon inspection of the establishment, they found that the staff was not able to produce the necessary paperwork.
“Licences are meant to be displayed on the wall,” she clarified.
“The owner refused to meet with us but sent two men in vehicles round to take photos of me and the Ward Committee Member.”
“Superintendent Wandile Mrubata sent a JMPD squad through to investigate further, but they were refused entrance. The JMPD subsequently shut the establishment down,” Bester went on.
Mrubata confirmed that the JMPD had closed down the premises and handed them a notice to stop illegal gambling.
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Bester advised further that the joint reopened shortly afterwards. “Unbelievable! These guys opened shop immediately after we left,” she said.
Mrubata added that the issue will be reported to the Gambling Association to intervene. “We checked this morning (23 October) and they were not open. If they reopen again, we are going to confiscate their business equipment,” he warned.
Bester mentioned, “While we were waiting for the JMPD team, we saw several elderly people entering the premises. One of the customers alluded to the fact that ‘these joints are all over’.”
She concluded by asking residents to notify her as quickly as possible of any suspected illegal gambling activities in the ward.
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