Zuko Komisa
The government has given business owners instructions on how to go about submitting an application for a traders’ permit.
In an effort to take decisive action against the recurrent foodborne illnesses that have killed at least 22 people nationwide, including children, President Cyril Ramaphosa last week called for all spaza shops and food-handling facilities to register with their respective municipalities.
The President clarified that the initiatives are intended to remove dangerous pesticides from the public domain, shield children from harmful chemicals, and stop similar incidents in the future.
The President issued an order last Friday requiring all spaza stores and food-handling facilities to register with their respective towns within 21 days in order to assure compliance.
Small business owners can follow these guidelines to ensure that they are compliant with government regulations:
- Registration for trading permits for spaza shop owners and vendors is done in municipality offices or designated sites that the municipalities will communicate to residents.
- All spaza shop owners and vendors must register with their respective municipalities from 15 November to 13 December 2024.
- Application forms for registration or permits to conduct business can be accessed physically at the municipal offices or on the municipality website.
- The completed application form is to be received only by the municipal manager or a delegated official within a municipality.
- The completed permit application should contain the business owner’s full name, surname, gender, and disability status.
- Other details that must be included in the application for a trading permit are:
- the identity number of the business owner;
- the physical and postal address of the business concerned;
- location where the business will be operated;
- the description of the goods or services that the business will be selling or providing to the community;
- the citizenship status of the applicants and
- the passport number, section 22 asylum seeker permit, section 24 refugee permit, and a valid visa allowing foreign nationals to be in the Republic to work or conduct business.
- The applicant must provide an affidavit stating that he/she is not engaged in the trade of illegal goods, as defined in this by-law and that his/her business will operate according to the applicable norms and standards.
- The municipality may conduct background checks on applicants, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, to verify the legality of their business activities.
- After the application has satisfied all the conditions stated by the municipality, the business owner will be issued a registration card or permit that must be always displayed and be available for inspection.
On Thursday South Africa’s National Disaster Management Centre classified the recent uptick in foodborne illnesses across the country as a national disaster. Point of View with Phemelo Motene spoke to Toxicologist, Dr Gerhard Verdoorn.
Listen to the full conversation here:
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