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 and Recycling, where goods were confiscated due to non-compliance.
The business also had outstanding debt of approximately R5 million in unpaid municipal services and rates.
Officials issued four 21-day compliance notices, along with two warnings and one fine, to various property owners.
Morodi said contraventions included failure to submit fire safety plans, trading without a licence, lack of access for firefighting vehicles and the erection of illegal structures.
The Bad Buildings Committee remained committed to supporting the city’s vision of “a prosperous capital through fairness, freedom and opportunity”.
“Our goal is to reclaim and revitalise the inner-city precinct. We aim to build a Tshwane that every resident can be proud of while economically empowering our people,” she said.
“The future of Tshwane does not tolerate the exploitation of vulnerable people in unsafe buildings, nor the theft of municipal services by businesses that refuse to pay their fair share.”
Since last year, the city has stepped up operations targeting illegal residential rooms and businesses operating unlawfully, most of which owe the city millions in debt.
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