Tshwane building raids uncover converted substations rented as rooms

By Lebone Rodah Mosima

Municipal electrical substations in Pretoria West have been illegally converted into rental rooms and were being let for R800 a month, the City of Tshwane said on Wednesday, as its Bad Buildings Committee intensified enforcement operations across industrial precincts.

“These hazardous spaces are currently occupied by foreign nationals seeking employment,” said the city’s MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi, about the converted substations.

She said officials had also uncovered a recycling site allegedly involved in the illegal manufacture of plastic bags, which were destined for distribution to major retailers.

“Law enforcement successfully detained a group of illegal foreign nationals from Malawi and Ethiopia who were discovered operating the machinery within the unauthorised plastic bag facility,” Morodi said.

“The suspects were taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigation into the counterfeit distribution network.”

Morodi said officials conducted a separate intervention at Mai Metals