Four businesses in the East London CBD were shut yesterday after they failed to produce business licences when SAPS and Buffalo City Metro officials raided their premises.
BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese said the raid was part of “Operation Fiela”, a national campaign aimed at curbing drug use, human trafficking, prostitution, squatting in condemned buildings and unlicensed trading, as well as arresting undocumented migrants.
Matebese said that during the raid police were joined by BCM officials from health and safety, fire, law enforcement and the licensing department.
The businesses, all fast food joints, are located in Buffalo and Argyle streets.
At least two of the affected business owners are crying foul over the manner in which the operation was carried out.
One said no notice had been issued while another said he was unaware he needed to have a business licence.
The executive director of the Border-Kei Chamber of Business, Les Holbrook, said the chamber understood that if one traded in food – whether preparation, sale, distribution or just general trade – a licence issued by the BCM health authority was required.
Paul van Cittert, who owns and runs Paul’s Pies, a homemade pies business on the corner of Buffalo and Argyle Street, said he was slapped with a R1000 fine and his doors shut.
Van Cittert, who bought the business six years ago from its previous owners, claims he was not aware he needed to apply for a business licence.
He said he had a health certificate issued by BCM’s health department.
When the Daily Dispatch arrived at Van Cittert’s yesterday, his business was still closed and he had just returned from the BCM’s licensing department where he went to apply for a licence.
“It cost me R980.
“Had I known about this I would have applied for the licence when I bought the business,” said Van Cittert.
Asked about the complaints by the business owners that they were not issued notice about the closure, Holbrook said: “If that is the case, BCM have been extremely unreasonable.
“It is evident that the owners were not aware of this licence issue. To arbitrarily or unilaterally close them is unreasonable.”
Holbrook said a 24-hour notice period would have been just as effective.
“We must take care of our legitimate and compliant investors,” said Holbrook. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
BCM closes 4 food outlets
BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese said the raid was part of “Operation Fiela”, a national campaign aimed at curbing drug use, human trafficking, prostitution, squatting in condemned buildings and unlicensed trading, as well as arresting undocumented migrants.
Matebese said that during the raid police were joined by BCM officials from health and safety, fire, law enforcement and the licensing department.
The businesses, all fast food joints, are located in Buffalo and Argyle streets.
At least two of the affected business owners are crying foul over the manner in which the operation was carried out.
One said no notice had been issued while another said he was unaware he needed to have a business licence.
The executive director of the Border-Kei Chamber of Business, Les Holbrook, said the chamber understood that if one traded in food – whether preparation, sale, distribution or just general trade – a licence issued by the BCM health authority was required.
Paul van Cittert, who owns and runs Paul’s Pies, a homemade pies business on the corner of Buffalo and Argyle Street, said he was slapped with a R1000 fine and his doors shut.
Van Cittert, who bought the business six years ago from its previous owners, claims he was not aware he needed to apply for a business licence.
He said he had a health certificate issued by BCM’s health department.
When the Daily Dispatch arrived at Van Cittert’s yesterday, his business was still closed and he had just returned from the BCM’s licensing department where he went to apply for a licence.
“It cost me R980.
“Had I known about this I would have applied for the licence when I bought the business,” said Van Cittert.
Asked about the complaints by the business owners that they were not issued notice about the closure, Holbrook said: “If that is the case, BCM have been extremely unreasonable.
“It is evident that the owners were not aware of this licence issue. To arbitrarily or unilaterally close them is unreasonable.”
Holbrook said a 24-hour notice period would have been just as effective.
“We must take care of our legitimate and compliant investors,” said Holbrook. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
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