Kimberley - The Independent Community of Kimberley (ICOK) has called on residents to rally against illegal tuck-shop owners by littering and throwing faeces at the entrances of government buildings as well as the homes of councillors on July 2.
The ICOK on Thursday said it had requested the Public Protector to investigate fraudulent leases where bribes of goods, money and airtime was allegedly being given to a local attorney, law enforcement authorities, municipal and South African Security Agency (Sassa) officials in exchange for securing business premises for foreign nationals.
ICOK convenor, Brian Banga, discouraged the use of violence but insisted that steps had to be taken to ensure that foreign nationals conducted their businesses according to health and occupational regulations.
“Health inspections, proof of business and tax registration as well as the validity of asylum papers should be verified at all tuck-shops in our municipal wards by Monday.
“If this does not happen we will ‘gooi k*k’ (throw faeces) at the gates of all municipal and government offices and ban the sale of products from illegal tuck-shops. We have already mobilised 800 members of the ICOK to participate,” Banga said.
He said that according to a study that they conducted, about 20 000 foreign nationals were living in the Northern Cape with an estimated 10 000 illegal tuck-shops that had mushroomed throughout the Province in the past three years.
He said that about 128 tuck-shops were operating in Lerato Park, with over 80 that had sprung up in Club 2000 and John Daka as well as over 50 tuck-shops, each situated in Phutanang, Barkly West and Ritchie.
Banga also claimed that foreign nationals were provided with the contact details of vulnerable pensioners who were registered on the social grant recipients’ database.
“The elderly people are being exploited because they are poor and illiterate. They are forced to sign five-year leases where containers are set up next to their houses with illegal electricity connections.”
He added that lease agreements stipulate that rent is payable of between R750 – R1 200 per month while the cost for the provision of electricity and water will be paid for by the home owner.
Banga said up to two people were working and living in the zinc containers while the ICOK was prevented from entering the shanties to inspect their washing facilities.
“There is no water connection to flush the toilets, no windows for ventilation, fire extinguishers and escape routes in the event of an emergency.
“While food, fresh produce, meat and perishables such as bread and polony are sold, we don’t know if hygiene is being adhered to.
“Cigarettes, tobacco, matches and oka pipes are said to be sold to children, without supervision. The excessive use of electricity to run their lights, television sets and fridges in order to run and live in their businesses resulting in electricity cuts to large sections of the neighbourhoods.”
He added that many of these business operators did not have identity documents and only possessed permits allowing them to operate in Johannesburg or the Eastern Cape.
Sol Plaatje municipal spokesman, Sello Matsie, said the Urban Planning Division was working with the police, Department of Home Affairs, Sars and the National Prosecuting Authority to address the growing number of illegal tuck-shops.
“Various complaints have been received and are being dealt with separately. In our database there are about 200 permits that were cancelled because the owners wanted to discontinue their businesses.”
He added that the Urban Planning Division and the police successfully raided legal and illegal taverns and tuck-shops in Galeshewe in March, and that several owners consulted the municipality in an attempt to remedy their actions.
Matsie said that all legal tuck-shop owners should be in possession of a five-year permit from the municipality that can be renewed.
“Every tuck-shop is subject to health inspections while illegal electrical connections are not permitted. The legality of the structure must be verified before electricity is installed.”
He added that tuck-shop owners were not allowed to sleep in the tuck-shop premises, which should solely be used for the sale of goods.
“The law is clear that children under the age of 18 may not purchase cigarettes.”
Spokeswoman for Sassa, Inno Khunou, said they were not aware of the allegations of any officials who divulged information listed on their database.
“We urge the ICOK to contact us with concrete evidence to ensure that the allegations are fully investigated. We appeal to anyone with related information to contact our social grant fraud and corruption toll-free number on 0800 701 701.”
She added that anti fraud tip-off boxes would be placed at all Sassa offices by the end of July.
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