By Dr Nasiphi Moya
Executive Mayor of Tshwane
The City of Tshwane conducted a law enforcement operation in Marabastad which led to the closure of the Marabastad Retail Market, after dozens of traders were found to be operating without permits.
The City has since faced criticism for its decision to enforce by-laws and protect the health and safety of residents.
It is important to remind traders that by-laws exist to protect residents and business operations.
The Mayoral Committee has taken a
decision to accelerate its priority objective of maintaining a clean and safe City.
Traders, at the Marabastad Retail Market, failed to produce trading permits as per the City of Tshwane’s Street Trading By-Law and Business Act 71 of 1991.
Trading without permits is illegal in the City of Tshwane, and that is why the Economic Development and Spatial Planning Department recommended that the Marabastad Retail Market should be closed.
All traders were informed that they should contact our officials in order to be guided on the process to obtain trading permits.
Permission to trade is not granted through a lease agreement between a landowner and a trader/business owner.
Trading permits and compliance with fire and health safety are required for approved trading.
The ability to trade or operate a business within the City of Tshwane requires applicants to attend a compulsory workshop on Street Trading in Tshwane.
After completing the workshop, the applicant may then apply with:
•Certified copy of their identity document;
•A copy of their lease agreement for the trading space;
•The applicant must approach the Health Department and Fire Division to complete the compliance processes by paying for Food handling training at health before the Certificate of Acceptability (COA) can be issued.
Any person seeking to trade in Tshwane may approach the Economic Development
and Spatial Planning Department at the 3rd Floor Middestad Building, corner Thabo Sehume and Pretorius Street, Pretoria Central to apply for trading permits.
The operation conducted in Marabastad forms part of our long-term strategy and will be carried out continuously to ensure that this business district is composed of legitimate businesses.
In carrying out this operation we were joined by Home Affairs and the South African Police Services (SAPS) who ensured that traders were checked for legal status.
The summary of the Marabastad Operation is as follows:
•43 – Businesses were inspected.
•36 – Section 56 notices were issued for contravention of Business Act (valued
at R18000).
•06 – Section 56 notices were issued for contravention of Street Trading By-Law
(valued at R1800).
•16 -Contravention notices issued for Building Regulations.
•01 – Section 56 notice issued for contravention of fire safety by law (R3000).
•02 – Contravention notices issued for fire safety by law.
•02 – illegal electricity connections were disconnected.
•07 – Businesses were closed immediately on 11th and Boom Street.
•20 – Stalls were closed immediately.