Two foreign-owned shops were closed after being found to be operating in contravention of trading regulations during a compliance inspection campaign conducted by uMfolozi Municipality under the leadership of the Honourable Mayor, Councillor Xolani Bhengu. The campaign aimed to assess whether businesses were complying with applicable trading laws and regulations.
The inspection team included officials from the Local Economic Development (LED) Department, Environmental Health Services of King Cetshwayo District Municipality, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), the uMfolozi Fire Services Unit, and the uMfolozi Waste Management Unit. The operation was carried out on Thursday, 4 June 2026, in three coastal wards, namely Ward 6, Ward 14, and Ward 16.
The campaign was attended by the Honourable Mayor, Councillor Bhengu, Deputy Mayor Councillor Timothy Biyela, Speaker Councillor Mkhangezeni Mthiyane, Councillor E.S. Sithole, Councillor Celimpilo Makhunga, and Councillor N.S. Ngubane.
The shops that were closed were found to be operating without valid trading licences registered in the names of the current business operators. Shop owners and those leasing or transferring businesses were urged to ensure that trading licences are registered in the correct names of the individual’s conducting business. Skin-lightening cosmetic products, which may not be sold without the appropriate medical prescription, were also confiscated. In addition, the affected shops were instructed to remove chips from sale pending the outcome of an investigation into the death of a child in Esikhaleni.