By Johnathan Paoli
The national government has appealed to members of the public to desist in disturbing the process of registration for legitimate business owners.
Government Communication and Information System spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa said on Wednesday that while the registration of spaza shops and other SMMEs has steadily commenced, there were concerns about isolated incidents of disruptions, especially in areas around Soweto.
She said that lawful joint inspections were ongoing across the country. They were being led by multidisciplinary teams composed of experts and officials from various departments, state bodies and law enforcement agencies.
“We would like to emphasise that the law allows every shop owner who is a legitimate trader and who meets the legal requirements to own a business in the republic to register a business and trade,” Mnukwa said.
She said that in the processing of the applications, the government would ensure that every legal prescript was taken into account.
Mnukwa called on the business community to take advantage of the window period of 21 days from last week Friday and ensure their compliance and registration without delay.
“Only individuals and businesses that meet the legal requirements and regulations stipulated by South African laws will be permitted to operate businesses in the country,” she said.
She confirmed that the government would assist those businessowners who were struggling with the process of registration.
Members from organisation Operation Dudula and the community have been protesting against the registration of businesses owned by foreign nationals at the Jabulani Civic Centre in Soweto.
The disruptions were as a result of confusion over the registration process, with the City of Johannesburg subsequently clarifying that the registration process has not yet commenced.
The city has now confirmed that the registration process in Soweto has been suspended until further notice.
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