EMALAHLENI – Emalahleni “strongman” Mayor Vusi Nhlapho issued a stern warning to spaza shop owners not settling their municipal accounts and stealing electricity, urging them to rectify their actions promptly or face eviction.
The warning follows a raid conducted on Friday, August 30, 2024, by mayor Nhlapho and his team.
The raid targeted undocumented spaza shop proprietors who are avoiding municipal fees and engaging in illegal electricity connections. Addressing the issue of non-compliance, particularly among spaza shops, Nhlapho indicated that the municipality is aware that many businesses are operated by “illegal foreigners who not only bypass the necessary municipal payments but also connect to the electricity grid illegally”.
He emphasized that as part of his initiative, he has taken decisive measures to ensure that the businesses either adhere to the bylaws or face the repercussions.
“Account payments and arrangements will be enforced, and any violations of municipal laws will be dealt with accordingly,” he emphasised. He also stressed the importance of maintaining essential infrastructure within the Central Business District (CBD). “A critical aspect of our program is ensuring that all potholes in the CBD are filled, streetlights are repaired, and streets are cleaned,” he said. “These efforts are not just about aesthetics; they are about creating a safer and more functional environment for all residents and businesses.”
He further elaborated on the recent findings in the downtown area, where numerous illegal shops were discovered. “We are currently at the downtown mall, where we have found many illegal shops operating without proper authorization. These shops will be shut down until they come forward to settle their outstanding accounts. Nearly all of them are in arrears, and this is something we cannot allow to continue.” Mayor Nhlapho reaffirmed commitment to ensure compliance and improve the living conditions in Emalahleni, adding that the program aims to restore order and ensure everyone abides by municipal bylaws.
He further said that he perceives government initiative known as Letsema as a potent strategy to actualise his vision of a pristine city. Letsema, a governmental endeavor implemented weekly by municipalities, serves as a pivotal intervention to enhance service delivery. He praised the innitiative, stating that it transcends mere clean-up endeavors. “It represents a holistic approach to rejuvenating our town,” Nhlapo expressed.
“While our primary focus is on cleaning and maintaining the town, we are also integrating other complementary programs within the Letsema initiative. This is to ensure that businesses operating within Emalahleni adhere to municipal regulations.”
