City of Joburg Mayor Dada Morero warns businesses and residents to comply with municipal laws or face closure. Picture Credit: Business Day
By Aisha Zardad
Johannesburg – The City of Johannesburg has launched an intensified enforcement operation targeting businesses and individuals that fail to comply with municipal by-laws, Mayor Dada Morero said on Monday as part of efforts to address growing municipal debt and city regulation breaches.
At the heart of the campaign is the mounting R10 billion owed to City Power, with a significant share owed by households, commercial enterprises, and even government departments.
Mayor Morero stressed the city’s intent to act decisively, saying, “The intention is clear. We are enforcing the by-law enforcement and crime prevention, while also dealing with those who are defaulting on the payment of services.”
Officials say the operation is also aimed at individuals tampering with essential services infrastructure, including water and electricity meters, which contributes to revenue loss and infrastructure strain.
One tangible example of enforcement came in Newtown, where a bottle store was closed for non-compliance with city laws. Simultaneously, informal traders operating without proper authorization along Helen Joseph Street faced action, with officials confiscating stock and removing vendors from unapproved trading areas.
Among those affected was a shoe trader from Burkina Faso, identified in reports as James, who voiced concern over losing his livelihood. “I do not know what to do. This is bad for me, and it is not as if we are making a lot of money. All we are doing is trying to make an honest living to pay rent and feed our families,” James said as enforcement teams acted.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the operation reflects the urgent need for cooperation between the city and businesses. He highlighted increasing levels of vandalism and theft affecting city infrastructure, with close to R1 billion of the debt linked to government departments.
The mayor called on city officials to remain unwavering in enforcing by-laws, emphasising that the success and future functionality of Johannesburg depend on strict compliance. “We must all do our jobs and ensure that we comply at all times,” Morero added, urging that services be cut off for those who do not pay without fear or favour.
