This follows shortly after car dealers were given the green light to open for business again. All vehichles that are sold have to be cleaned and sanitized professionally, something that cannot be done if the car washes are closed.
It’s alleged that Capt. Wilken of the SAPS gave the order for the businesses to be closed in Vanderbijlpark on orders from an unnamed area commissioner. It also looks as if only the car washes in Vanderbijlpark have to close and not those in Vereeniging.
Anton Myburg from Anton Myburgh Attorneys in Vanderbijlpark wrote a letter to the SAPS on behalf of some of the car washes to get clarity on the matter. Mr Myburgh said the case will be taken further if the SAPS cannot proof that these businesses are breaking the law.
According to regulations published on 29 April, cleaning services may operate in phase 4 as long as these businesses meet all the conditions and have all the precautions in place.
It seems the first car wash was forced to close on 13 May after the owner was threatened with a fine or imprisonment. This particular business had the necesarry permit and complied with all the prescribed conditions.
On Sunday, 17 May 2020, another car wash had to close after being threatened by the police. This is against the Disaster Management Act regulations of 29 April 2020 which stipulate that cleaning services may operate.
Mr Myburgh said he has not receive any reply from the SAPS yet. He said the prosecutor’s office in Vereeniging issued a letter to the effect that a car wash in possession of proper documentation as required by the regulations and subject to compliance with all the precautionary measures, may be open and is not committing an offence.
