By Johannah Malogadihlare
The owners of small businesses, spaza shops and other food handling convenient stores have been reminded that they need to register their businesses by Tuesday next week.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that businesses which do not register with their local municipalities face closure.
“If one missed the registration window, it is important to note that the business cannot operate, and it must be closed down,” the national joint operational and intelligence structure (NatJoints) said.
“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 licence or a permit to trade.”
Explaining the process, it said applicants would receive an acknowledgement of receipt of their application, which would be followed by a process of verification and inspection by relevant units to including environmental health and the National Consumer Commission.
After registration, another process of obtaining a licence or permit to trade would take place as per municipal by-laws and other compliance requirements.
Businesses that have registered before would not be affected and another chance would be given to those who missed it.
“To support and expedite the process, a national online registration platform has now been developed through the Department of Small Business Development and will be deployed by January 2025. This means that all businesses that missed the deadline may still register online in their respective municipalities,” NatJoints confirmed.
Additionally, it said that the department would support all municipalities that did not have an online system.
“The funding criteria for the R500 million joint fund to be set up between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Department of Small Business Development to support township SMMEs, including the community convenience shops, has been finalised,” it said.
NatJoints said foreign nationals could only register or apply if they had a business visa or an asylum seeker certificate. A work, study or tourist visa could not be used.
Multi-disciplinary enforcement teams will continue to inspect shops for non-compliance.
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