Tshwane shuts Pretoria strip club twice in a week over compliance failures

The City of Tshwane closed Flamingo Strip Club and Bar in Hatfield twice within a week as part of intensified enforcement against businesses operating outside municipal requirements.

Repeated shutdowns after alleged brothel operation and large arrears

Tshwane officials returned to the venue after the building was found to be allegedly operating as an illegal brothel and to have municipal account arrears of R3.2 million. The city says the business may not reopen until all outstanding compliance matters and the electricity account are fully resolved.

Manager: fixing issues but concerned about income

Flamingo manager Kobus Pretorius told reporters he was addressing the problems the city had raised. He said some issues had been resolved while others remained.

“It wasn’t about the brothel any more, that’s sorted. Now it’s about the things that weren’t right, like the building plans. That’s the biggest issue, but we are busy sorting it,” Pretorius said.

Pretorius said this was the first time in over 30 years he had experienced issues with the city. He also questioned how the business could raise money to fix licences and building plans if required to close.

“They want us to close the brothel, but how do they expect we make money to sort out all the licence and the building plans if they want us to close?”

City lists compliance failures and enforcement actions

Tshwane MMC for community safety Hannes Coetzee said the property owner must meet outstanding town planning requirements, including property consolidation and submitting updated plans, because the site was operating using outdated documentation.

Coetzee said a recent inspection found incorrect zoning, lack of approved building plans, no valid trading licence and failure to meet essential fire safety standards. As part of the city’s #BadBuildings operation, officials also took action at 269 Robert Sobukwe Street.

• Illegal connections were severed and the water meter at that site was removed.
• The city disconnected the electricity supply at Flamingo.
• Metro police issued a R500 fine for trading without a valid business licence.
• Municipal health officials issued a R5 000 fine for handling food without a certificate of acceptability.

Next steps and restrictions

According to city officials, Flamingo may not operate until all outstanding town planning, licensing, safety matters and the electricity account are fully resolved.