Spaza shops have until Tuesday to register their businesses. Picture Sandi Kwon Hoo
The MEC for the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Transport, Safety and Liaison Bentley Vass has encouraged all owners of small businesses, spaza shops and other food convenient stores to register their businesses by Tuesday, December 1, or face closure.
Informal businesses were given 21 days in which to register their businesses in line with an announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on November 15 in an attempt to clamp down on incidences of food borne illnesses.
Vass applauded business owners that had already approached their municipalities across the Province, to register their businesses.
He called on municipalities to expedite all related processes, post the submission of applications by businesses.
“The process of registration that is being undertaken does not include the whole process of licensing of a business, which is the application, review, approval and the issuance of the license or a permit to trade.”
Vass reminded businesses that there would be no extensions.
“If the registration deadline is missed, it is important to note that the business cannot operate and it must be closed down. Following the current process of registration, applicants are expected to receive an acknowledgement of their application. This will then be followed by a process of verification and inspection, as well as other statutory compliance requirements by relevant units such as Environmental Health, National Consumer Commission etc.”
He emphasised that a foreign national could only register or apply for a business license if they were in possession of a business visa, an asylum seeker certificate or a refugee certificate.
“Furthermore, a foreign national with a work, study or tourist visa is not permitted to apply for a business license or operate a business in the country.”
He added that South African landlords were prohibited by law, not to register businesses on behalf of illegal foreign nationals. “Any South African who has been found to have fraudulently registered a business on behalf of an illegal foreign national will face the might of the law.
“The multi-disciplinary inspections to strengthen adherence to legal frameworks governing trade and food safety across the Northern Cape, will continue beyond the prescribed period of 21 days. The government remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding public safety and preventing future outbreaks through sustainable practices and partnerships,” Vass stated.