Following the launch of its Lokiša Kgwebo Ya Gago/ Qondis’ Ishishini Lakho/Fix Your Business/ Maak Reg Jou Besigheid information sessions, the city’s Local Economic Development (LED) Services has observed that many foreign nationals attending are accompanied by South Africans attempting to assist them to illegally register their spaza shop businesses.
LED strongly condemns this practice and warns that action will be taken against those found to be involved as this undermines the municipality’s efforts to compile accurate data and enforce compliance with regulations. Residents are further forewarned that under the Immigration Act of 2002, it is a criminal offence to assist or enable an undocumented foreign national to operate a business in South Africa.
In cases where public health issues such as food poisoning arise from these spaza shops/businesses, registered owners and not persons operating the shops will be held legally accountable. This includes any hospitalisations or fatalities that may result, making it crucial for locals to assess the risks of associating themselves with such conduct.
LED also encourage all local property owners leasing their premises to business owners to ensure that they comply with the request to formally register their business by 13 December 2024. Several requirements need to be met to ensure the successful registration of a spaza shops/business. These include a correctly completed application form obtainable from our Enterprise and Rural Development offices or downable on our website accompanied by proof of residence, business registration with CIPC and proof of ownership or permission to utilise the business premises.
In addition to the above, a zoning certificate, consent use comment from municipality’s Town Planning Division as well as a certificate of acceptability from Environmental Health and a municipality-determined payment must be submitted and approved before a business licence can be issued.
Foreign nationals will be required to also 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 temporary or permanent residence visa or an asylum seekers/refugee permit.
Prior to issuing out a permit, the municipality will also conduct background checks in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, to verify the legality of the applicant’s business activities. Once the applicant satisfies all the conditions stated by the municipality, they will be issued with a registration card or permit that must always be displayed and available for inspections.