GEORGE NEWS - A memorandum calling for stricter enforcement of immigration, housing, labour and business licensing laws was handed over to the George Municipality, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and several government departments during a march organised by Thembalethu Qina-Mhlali (TQM) on Friday 19 June.
The document raises concerns about what organisers describe as widespread non-compliance with existing legislation.
In the memorandum, TQM states that communities in George are under pressure due to what it calls the “unchecked presence of undocumented foreign nationals” and alleged failures in enforcement by relevant authorities.
The group claims that municipal land is being unlawfully occupied in areas including Thembalethu, Pacaltsdorp, Lawaaikamp and Borcherds, while also raising concerns about unlicensed informal trading, including spaza shops operating on pavements and road reserves.
It further alleges that some informal businesses and construction sites are operating without proper compliance with zoning, health, labour and licensing requirements, and that undocumented foreign nationals are in some cases employed in violation of labour legislation.
On housing, the memorandum raises concerns about alleged occupation of RDP houses by individuals not qualifying as beneficiaries, and calls for verification of housing allocations.
TQM also calls for joint operations between government departments to intensify inspections, enforce by-laws, verify documentation status, and take action where legal breaches are identified.
Among its requests, the group calls for audits of informal businesses, enforcement of municipal by-laws, inspections of workplaces for labour compliance, and stronger action against employers allegedly hiring undocumented workers.
The memorandum urges all departments to improve coordinated enforcement and to publish reports on actions taken, stating that equal application of the law is necessary across all sectors and communities.
George Mayor Browen Johnson and representatives from the GRDM and other departments each received a copy of the memorandum at the GRDM offices in York Street.
“The challenges we face in the community require a whole-of-society approach. It needs an approach from various government departments. We, as the local municipality, write the by-laws in terms of issues such as spaza shops, etc., but the licensing of such shops to operate sits with the district municipality.
“Furthermore, when it comes to employment, that function sits with Labour. The local municipality can only act within the ambit of its laws. We want to see the correct processes being followed. We want to see all departments join hands and resolve the issue,” said Johnson.
He reminded attendees that only the Department of Home Affairs can determine whether someone is documented or not and thanked the protestors for concluding the march peacefully.
TQM demanded a formal written response to their memorandum within 30 days, an implementation plan outlining actions to be taken within 90 days and a stakeholder engagement meeting within 60 days.
Browen Johnson signing the memorandum.
Protestors at GRDM.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
