Special Cleanup Operation Strengthens Compliance and Safety in City of Matlosana’s CBD
- Karen Scheepers
- Jul 29
- 4 min read
On Friday, 25 July 2025, the City of Matlosana’s Special Cleanup Operation rolled through the Central Business District (CBD) for a second consecutive week, underscoring the municipality’s drive to enforce by‑law compliance and bolster public safety.
Spearheaded by Councillor Wesly Kgang in collaboration with Ms Lesego Seametso from the municipal administration, the operation targeted business irregularities, overdue accounts and road‑safety hazards. A diverse team of municipal officials, including officers from Local Economic Development, Traffic, Housing and District Health Services, joined the effort, demonstrating a coordinated, multi‑departmental approach to urban management.
Assessing Commercial Compliance
The core focus of this phase of the cleanup was rigorous business inspection across the CBD’s main thoroughfares. Inspectors checked whether guesthouses, retail outlets and food vendors held valid municipal permits, complied with health and safety regulations and maintained required fire‑safety equipment. According to the municipal communications department, officers visited more than 50 premises during the day:
Guesthouse Closures: Four establishments failed to meet minimum safety or sanitation standards, such as adequate fire escapes, potable water supply or properly maintained refuse areas and were immediately shut down. Notices posted at each entrance informed proprietors of pending legal action if remedial steps are not taken within the next 14 days.
Electricity Disconnections: Five businesses with severely overdue municipal accounts had their power supply temporarily disconnected. Officers emphasized that reconnection is contingent upon full settlement of outstanding balances and the signing of a payment‑plan agreement.
In a brief statement, Councillor Kgang explained: “Ensuring that commercial operators respect by‑laws protects not only their customers but also neighbouring businesses and pedestrians. It is our responsibility to maintain a safe, clean and accountable urban environment.”
Road Safety and Public Well‑Being
Beyond commercial inspections, the cleanup team addressed road‑related safety risks in partnership with the Traffic Department. Crews repaired damaged traffic signs, repainted faded pedestrian crossings and removed illegally parked vehicles that obstructed footpaths. A mobile unit conducted random sobriety checkpoints near late‑night entertainment spots to deter drunk driving.
In addition, officers distributed educational leaflets at bus stops and taxi ranks, reminding commuters of pedestrian‑right‑of‑way rules and safe crossing practices. “A single accident can ripple through the entire district,” noted Mr Thabo Mothibedi, a senior traffic engineer involved in the operation. “By proactively fixing signage and enforcing parking regulations, we reduce collisions and improve the overall flow of traffic.”
Multi‑Departmental Collaboration
The success of the cleanup day rested on a clearly defined collaboration among several municipal divisions:
Local Economic Development (LED): Oversaw business‑compliance checks and liaised with guesthouse owners to outline corrective measures.
Housing Services: Verified that self‑catering and informal accommodation providers adhered to zoning laws and housing‑density limits.
District Health Services: Conducted spot‑checks for food‑safety practices in restaurants and street‑food stalls, issuing improvement notices where necessary.
Traffic Department: Managed vehicle removals, road‑marking maintenance and public‑safety outreach.
This joint‑effort model allowed teams to share intelligence in real time via a dedicated radio network, enabling rapid follow‑ups on violations and more efficient use of enforcement resources.
Addressing Unauthorised Residency
During patrols of back‑street alleys and informal trading areas, officers encountered two foreign nationals lacking proper documentation. Under South African immigration regulations, they were detained and handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further processing. While the municipality does not handle immigration enforcement directly, senior officials stressed the necessity of cooperation with law‑enforcement authorities whenever undocumented individuals are discovered during municipal operations.
Business Community Response
Reactions from the local business community were mixed. Ms Thandi Mogale, owner of a café on Van Riebeeck Street, welcomed the heightened scrutiny: “We compete fairly and maintain our hygiene standards. It’s good to see the municipality taking action so that non‑compliant operators don’t gain an unfair advantage.” Conversely, an anonymous guesthouse proprietor expressed frustration, citing what they described as “short notice” for certain corrective directives. Municipal spokesperson Lesego Seametso responded that advance warnings had been issued via radio broadcasts and official social media channels over the previous fortnight.
Sustaining Momentum
Council members say that cleanup operations of this scale will continue on a monthly basis, targeting different zones in rotation.
Future plans include:
Expanded Licensing Workshops: LED will hold on‑site workshops to assist small business owners with permit applications and by‑law requirements.
Digital Account Alerts: A new SMS system will notify ratepayers of upcoming account due dates to prevent future disconnections.
Community‑Safety Forums: Traffic and Community Policing Forum representatives will convene public meetings to gather input on high‑risk intersections and parking enforcement needs.
Councillor Kgang highlighted the importance of sustained engagement: “This is not a one‑off event. We want to foster a culture where compliance and safety are shared responsibilities between the city, business owners and the community.”
Looking Ahead:
Friday’s operation in Matlosana’s CBD demonstrated how multi‑departmental coordination can yield concrete improvements in urban management, from shuttering unsafe guesthouses to reinforcing pedestrian safety. Municipal leaders urge all business operators to regularize their status, attend forthcoming workshops and fulfil their civic obligations. As the City of Matlosana prepares for the next cleanup cycle, residents and entrepreneurs alike are encouraged to cooperate fully with inspection teams and uphold the standards that make the CBD vibrant, welcoming and secure for everyone.
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