MAP business registration confuses concillors

By Emily Setona

QWAQWA – In a bid to address the confusion over business/tuckshops registration in Maluti-a-Phofung, the local council has resolved to hold a workshop to equip them with the knowledge they will need when they address the community.

This after councillors expressed serious concerns over the registration of all businesses in the municipality during a special council sitting on Monday December 2, 2024.

According to the Local Economic Development director Sipho Tshabalala, the Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality was already in the process of collecting information for the local businesses to create a valid database.

“When this Provincial Act to register businesses and tuckshops was announced, our office was already working with ward councillors to collect data on all the businesses in Maluti-a-Phofung.

“The Minister has given municipalities power to regulate the businesses in their locality. As custodians of the land we need to know which businesses are operating in our municipality and make sure that they are all registered,“ Tshabalala said while addressing council.

After hearing all the concerns raised by the councillors during council sitting, acting executive mayoral MMC Peter Khumalo said it is clear that the councillors need to attend workshops so that they understand what this proctor registering businesses entails.

“I think it will be best if councillors attend a workshop during this week to unpack this entire process,” Khumalo said.

Sharing similar sentiments as the councillors, local entrepreneurs in Maluti-a-Phofung were increasingly frustrated with the lack of tangible support from the government, despite ongoing promises of assistance. During an Entrepreneurs’ Day event hosted by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) on 29 November at the Phuthaditjhaba Multipurpose Hall, business owners voiced concerns about the challenges they face in accessing essential resources and information.

One such entrepreneur, Puleng Morobe, a visually impaired and wheelchair-bound businesswoman from Ha Rankopane village, highlighted the barriers she has faced in obtaining a permit for her business.

Morobe shared that her attempts to get help from the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Economic Development (LED) office have yielded no results, despite years of effort.

“It’s been years of going back and forth to the LED office at Maluti-a-Phofung. Even the mayors who have come and gone know me because of my numerous visits to the municipality, trying to get assistance,” Morobe told The Guard.

Another attendee, Lefa Ralethohlane, raised questions about the municipality’s by-laws and how entrepreneurs can access critical information needed for compliance.

“As community members, we want to know where we can find by-laws and how to get access to this crucial information about running compliant businesses,” Ralethohlane said.

In response to these concerns, Tiisetso Makhele, the LED manager at Maluti-a-Phofung, acknowledged that the municipality’s website where such information is supposed to be available is currently non-functional.

“The website is down, but that’s where people should be able to access by-laws and information regarding municipal regulations. My office is short staffed and is collaborating with ward councillors and ward committee members to collect data on local businesses, including spaza shops.

“All businesses, whether locally owned or foreign-owned, must register and comply with regulations. This is an ongoing process,” he explained

The registration process for local and foreign-owned businesses according to the Provincial Act of 2024, states that in order to streamline compliance, the municipality must register tuck-shops and small businesses. Entrepreneurs must visit the Maluti-a-Phofung LED office to obtain the relevant forms required for registration.

For local tuckshop owners proof of residence, a valid South African ID, and a business plan or description of operations must be submitted.

For foreign-owned tuckshops

A valid passport, business permit, proof of residence, and proof of registration with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).

Health and safety compliance

All businesses must obtain a certificate of compliance from the Environmental Health Department to ensure they meet safety and hygiene standards.

Pay registration fees Registration fees vary based on the type and scale of the business. Payment details are provided during the application process.

Approval and permit issuance Once all documents are verified and fees are paid, a business permit will be issued.

Makhele encouraged entrepreneurs to utilize ward councillors and committees as points of contact for additional support and guidance.

Despite these explanations, entrepreneurs like Morobe remain sceptical, citing years of unmet promises and bureaucratic delays. The Entrepreneurs’ Day event underscored the pressing need for Maluti-a-Phofung municipality to address systemic inefficiencies and better support its business community.