By Akani Nkuna
The Gauteng government has acknowledged that it is going to be difficult for all spaza shops to register in the 21 days stipulated by President Cyril Ramaphosa to help deal with the food contamination crisis in the country.
Gauteng finance and economic development MEC Lebogang Maile told reporters on Tuesday that concerns raised by local spaza shop owners regarding digital processing and the stipulated timeline were legitimate.
“Many business owners are concerned that 21 days may not be sufficient. Some of the concerns include that shop owners may not have resources to travel to municipal offices to register as they rely on the money they make after selling their products.
“Delays with consent applications have also been cited. These are legitimate concerns that affect particularly micro enterprises,” he said.
With the exception of the City of Ekurhuleni, local municipalities did not have adequate digital platforms for the registration processes required to ensure compliance.
The department would continue with compliance blitzes as part of the Qondis’ Ishishini Lakho campaign, which provided a one-stop shop for business owners to get their enterprises in order. It promoted the formalisation of businesses, improved food safety and adhering to regulations.
“Shop owners who are unable to meet the 21 days deadline are encouraged to make use of this avenue [and] to do everything possible to utilise the localities provided,” Maile said.
Ramaphosa warned that business owners who did not register with their municipalities would be shut down.
The government is focusing on three main areas as part of its efforts to deal with the emergency. They include getting hazardous pesticides off the street, protecting children from exposure to these substances and preventing future outbreaks.
Maile said that foreign nationals would need to have all the necessary documents.
“Foreign nationals will be required to provide valid documentation from the Department of Home Affairs giving them authorisation to operate a business in South Africa. This must be in the form of a valid business visa or work permit,” the MEC said.
He further emphasised that foreign business owners must adhere to labour regulations mandating that staff members possessed necessary work permits so that they could be legally employed.
“This visa is issued to foreigners where it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that South African citizens and permanent residents with relevant qualifications or skills and experience are not available for employment,” he added.
As per South African law, a foreign national must invest a prescribed amount of R5 million into an existing business or provide a business plan with evidence of R5 million capital contribution.
However, they may establish a business which is of national interest to South Africa, as stipulated in the Industrial Policy Action Plan, for which there is no minimum capital investment required.
Maile also warned South Africans against helping foreign nationals opening businesses that were not compliant with the laws of the country.
He said the blatant disregard for the law was deplorable as it hindered municipalities from collecting accurate data on township enterprises and made compliance monitoring challenging.
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