Criminal action is taken against the illegal fuel depot and alleged dilution of diesel with paraffin at L74 Lewis Street, Laezonia AH

Notwithstanding repeated inspections by Tshwane building inspectors and Tshwane EMS, the illegal fuel depot at L74 Lewis Street continued to operate with increased intensity for well over 6 months.

Numerous compliance notices were issued and on-site inspections by Tshwane EMS, Metro and other Tshwane inspectorates were held in December 2023 and January 2024.

Following each inspection, the owner of L74 Lewis Street and various other connected operators persisted with the running of the illegal fuel depot, usually under cover of darkness and well into the early morning.

Residents, with the assistance of the Tshwane MMC Community Safety, the Ward 48 Councillor as well the Chief of Tshwane Metro and Chief of Tshwane EMS laid criminal charges against the owner of the property and operators of the illegal fuel depot.

The case is now with the HAWKS (DPCI – Directorate of Priority Crimes) under case number 43/01/2024 where the operators have been charged with “Contravention of essential infrastructure” in terms of the Criminal Amendment Act, Act 18 of 2015.

The landowner was also issued with other penalties including payment of penalty rates for breaches of Tshwane By-laws (“Non-permitted Land Use”).

This is not the first time this landowner has been found to be in breach of various by-laws and national legislation.

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