Region F law enforcement task team nets R4m in fines in inner city

The City of Johannesburg's Citizen Relationship & Urban Management (CRUM) Region F Law Enforcement Task Team has made significant progress in enforcing municipal by-laws and addressing urban management challenges in the inner city during the first quarter of the new financial year. Twenty-six operations were conducted across the region between 5 June and 3 September 2026, focusing on by-law enforcement, bad buildings, business premises, informal trading and spaza shops. A total of 426 notices were issued, amounting to R4 403 781, excluding notices/citations issued during JMPD daily operations.

The multidisciplinary operational team includes the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Emergency Management Services (EMS), CRUM Region F, Group Forensic Investigation Services (GFIS), Development Planning, including Planning Law Enforcement and Building Development Management, Environmental Health, City Power, Revenue Protection Unit and Johannesburg Water.

The operations also include the South African Police Service (SAPS), national and provincial government departments including Home Affairs, Public Safety Crime Prevention Wardens, Department of Employment and Labour, Social Development and the Gauteng Liquor Board, SPCA, CIDs, as well as Business and Community Policing Forums.

Despite the progress made, the team continues to face several challenges, as residents and businesses disregard municipal by-laws and operate despite being served with formal cease-and-desist notices. In some instances, officials have experienced difficulties gaining access to properties for inspections.

The team has also encountered businesses operated by undocumented foreign nationals, as well as instances where shop operators reside on business premises, which is in contravention of Regulation 638 of the Public Health By-law.

CRUM Region F Regional Director Irene Mafune said the integrated approach adopted by the task team was important in addressing the range of urban management challenges facing the inner city. “The inner city is faced with residents who completely disregard municipal by-laws, to a point of continuing their operations even after receiving notices and fines. We have also found illegal electricity and water connections after services have been disconnected due to non-payment."

The team will also intensify joint operations with Home Affairs and other relevant stakeholders to address matters relating to immigration and compliance with applicable laws. The City values these partnerships as part of its efforts to rejuvenate and revitalise the inner city.

Written by Dudu Lushaba
21/09/2026

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