As the wheels of service delivery by the ANC-led Tshwane Council, are slowly but surely falling off, residents in Ward 61 continue to feel the effects of the poor service delivery.
From rubbish dumped on sidewalks, to non functioning street lights, to illegal businesses trading in residential areas, the list goes on and on, with residents complaining, but their complaints being met with deaf ears by Council officials and the local Ward Councillor. One of the complaints which remains ignored is the health hazard that local customers face when buying food products from some shops in the area, as the Council health authorities
seemingly turn a blind eye to these businesses. Residents say that they are deeply concerned about the unhygienic conditions at some of the businesses trading in the area, many of which are owned by foreigners.
One of the businesses that the Laudium Sun received a complaint about is the Bangali Mini Market in the Laudium CBD. The store, which initially sold groceries, has now turned into an informal restaurant. Many residents claim that the food outlet does not or cannot be having the proper health license to operate as a restaurant, alleging that the makeshift kitchen where the food is prepared, is in a poor state with poor hygiene standards maintained.
Complaints
Rajesh Lutchman of 9th Avenue, Laudium, told the Laudium Sun, “It is really sad to see how some businesses trading in Laudium, many of these owned by foreigners, are being operated in filthy conditions. Even some of the shops that are selling foodstuff and preparing meals at the premises are filthy. There are no or very little hygine systems maintained by some of these business owners. It is as if some of these businesses are trading in some rural village in India or Pakistan, without any concern for health regulations or consequences from the authorities. If we talk about the small food outlets operating even in the Laudium CBD, then one will know how unhygienic and disgusting some of the shops really are. One of the food shops that I believe is not health compliant is ‘Bangali Mini Market,’ located in the Laudium CBD, which reflects a proper example of my concerns. This business started as a small shop selling items like groceries, cigarettes, and airtime, but as time went along, it turned into a mini restaurant where they are now preparing and selling food items at the shop, including chips, braai meat and other food stuff. The shop looks so untidy snd filthy and is seemingly not maintained at all. After they cook in the shop, they throw the rubbish from the kitchen onto the street and this is something that is happening regularly. There are also flies all over the shop. Prepared food is left open and uncovered. These kinds of shops are degenerating our area and turning it into a slum. This is not what we want from the Laudium CBD. Back in the day, the Laudium CBD was a place where all shops maintained rules and regulations, as businesses had a conscience and there was also strict law enforcement for the by-laws by the Municipality. If it was a restaurant, then it was a proper restaurant completely and if it was a shop, then it was a shop where no food was allowed to be cooked. But now, all over Laudium, houses and even storerooms are turning into businesses. General dealer shops are turning into mini restaurants, without any concern for zoning or being health compliant, which is also a fire risk. This decay is something that is clearly visible. It is affecting the image of our community as well as jeopardizing the health of people who are buying and consuming food from these places, which are clearly health hazards. The sad part is that many of these shops which are preparing and selling food on their premises, do not have health compliance certificates and our Municipality and Councillor are just sitting and doing nothing about it. With corruption so high in the Tshwane Council, one has to ask why are these food outlets that are not health or even fire compliant not being prosecuted. This creates frustration among residents who feel that their concerns are not being taken seriously. People are worried about their health and the health of their families, especially when food is being prepared and sold under such poor hygienic conditions. There were complaints about this very same shop ‘Bangali Mini Market’ in the past and it was even closed by the Metro police, but after that they re opened, seemingly without complying with health or fire regulations. This raises serious concerns and it gives the impression that there are no strict measures being taken to ensure that regulations are followed. It also gives businesses the courage to re-open and continue operating without making the necessary changes to comply with the law and maintain proper standards. We want our Laudium CBD and the whole of Laudium back the way it was some years before. We respect foreigners who come from their home countries, but there must be rules and regulations which they must abide by. Otherwise, we are losing our community and our country slowly, little by little. Irrespective of their culture, religion, or where they come from, there must be one set of rules for everyone who comes to our country from abroad. Only then can we ensure fairness, cleanliness and safety for all residents and businesses in Laudium.”
Ismail Ahmed of 4th Avenue, Laudium, told the Laudium Sun, “The situation in the Laudium CBD is becoming worrying for many of us who live and work in this area. We are seeing Laudium falling apart and it is no longer in the high standard as it was in the past. There used to be a sense of order, cleanliness and respect for the rule of law, but that is slowly disappearing as more shops begin to operate without following the required Council by laws. When it comes to places like the Bangali Mini Market, the concerns are not only about business practices but also about public health hazards. Food is being prepared and sold in conditions that do not appear to meet basic hygiene standards and this is something that affects everyone in the community. Customers are unknowingly buying and consuming food that may be a health hazard as food items do not seemed to be handled or stored according to regulations, which creates a serious health risk. It is also concerning to see how some businesses change their operations without proper Council approval. How can a shop selling groceries the one day, start preparing and selling food from the same place the next day. Surely there should be health, fire and zoning regulations that should be complied with, before trading in the change of the business, especially a food outlet. Where are the health inspectors? Where is our Councillor?
This kind of practice shows a lack of accountability, monitoring and law enforcement taking place. Even when action is taken, it does not seem to have a lasting impact, as businesses continue operating in the same manner. This leaves the community feeling frustrated and unheard. There should be fairness and equal enforcement of rules so that everyone, regardless of who they are, follows the same standards. Only then can we restore trust in the system, after a safe and clean environment for everyone is ensured.”
Anusia Singh, also of 4th Avenue, told the Laudium Sun, “This is not what we want, when we speak about a peaceful community and a healthy nation. Look at the situation, especially in Laudium. There is no law and order maintained, with many people doing their own thing as they feel. Businesses are operating from storerooms, house garages and even shacks, without any concern for health or safety regulations. This is becoming a serious concern for residents who want to live in a clean and safe environment. The way some shops are being turned into mini restaurants and selling food in a very unhygienic way is a major issue as it has serious health hazard implications. Food is being prepared in back storerooms during the day and at night the same places are being used as sleeping places. Some of the businesses are even cooking in the yard, with all of this creating health risks for the community. Another concern is the lack of cleanliness and proper waste management. After cooking food in the shops, rubbish is often not disposed of correctly and this leads to garbage being left in the streets. As a result, residents have to deal with the consequences, including pests and unpleasant smells that affect nearby homes. We need an effective Metro Police that is committed to maintaining law and order and not coming into Laudium to collect bribes. It is time that the local businesses respect rules and maintain proper standards. Authorities must not ignore these issues and should take firm action to ensure that all businesses operate legally and responsibly. There must be fairness, accountability, and strict enforcement so that the community can feel safe again and take pride in the area.”
Aslam Hossain, the shop owner at Bangali Mini Market in the Laudium CBD, declined to comment on the allegations made against him and his business.
