PIETERMARITZBURG -One would expect food to be prepared and served, at a fast-food outlet, but this was not the case when authorities visited City Shawarma and Coffee Shop in KwaZulu-Natal.
A multidisciplinary operation on Tuesday, uncovered that the outlet, situated on Church Street in Pietermaritzburg, was found to be in contravention of several regulations.
From construction work in plain sight, a bedroom, and exposed electrical wiring, all while food is being prepared and sold.
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Thami Ntuli, who was shocked at the discovery, said the outlet would be shut down, a move he believes will send a message to business owners who refuse to comply with the law.
“We started this program all over the province where police are having consecutive operations trying to ensure that people and businesses are compliant, and for this one they will be monitoring it. I've engaged the Colonel and the Governor here, and they will be ensuring that they check whether this shop is not open. They will be monitoring it so that when they continue to break the law, they will face the mighty of the law.
Ntuli, alongside other departments including Home Affairs, SAPS, as well as Labour and Immigration officials, led the integrated intelligence-driven operation, Engangeni Ngesango Iyafohla, targeting businesses operating without legitimate business permits and employing illegal undocumented nationals.
In another case, officials found workers who were reportedly being paid just R100 for a 12-hour shift, starting at 6am.
Ntuli says such working conditions cannot be tolerated, and the matter will be dealt with by the Labour Department.
“Whoever is employed here must be paid a salary which is, in fact, about the minimum payment,” he said.