City of Ekurhuleni urges businesses to register for compliance

Business forums in the City of Ekurhuleni are not required to register, but individual companies must do so.

These forums are voluntary, community-based structures that promote collective growth and development, provide business leadership and foster harmony within the business community.

These organisations share business-related information and create opportunities for affiliated members.

Some forums also collaborate with community crime prevention institutions, such as security companies and the Community Policing Forum (CPF), to engage with other community organisations and stakeholders.

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The City of Ekurhuleni has expressed support for local business forums.

One such forum operating in the Primrose area is the Primrose Business Forum, which has led cleaning initiatives across the town and supported various feeding schemes and soup kitchens.

According to City Spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, the forums work closely with the business compliance division to facilitate compliance and mobilisation.

“The compliance department does not handle company funding, although it occasionally provides training and workshops.

“This section works with business forums to promote business registration and ensure compliance with municipal procedures,” said Dlamini.

“There are no projects from the business compliance section that can be allocated to business forums. Therefore, no specific projects have been identified for the Germiston and Primrose areas.

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“Business forums do not require registration because they are voluntary structures. However, individual businesses must register. A business license or trading permit takes 21 days to process. Each business must complete an application form for a business license or trading permit.

“Payments for trading permits or business licenses apply only to businesses applying on an individual basis.

“The process includes receiving feedback from relevant municipal departments, which will either approve or reject the application,” said Dlamini.

Only businesses covered under Schedule 1, Items 1 and 3 of the Business Act are eligible to apply.

These include businesses that trade in meals, perishable foodstuffs, and hawking in meals and perishable foodstuffs.

Common reasons for rejection of an application include:
• Trading in non-approved areas.
• Lack of correct zoning.
• Failure to provide approved building plans.
• Absence of an approved certificate of acceptability.

“Applicants are notified telephonically, and a written response is provided upon request regarding their application status.

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“To enhance collaboration and networking among registered business forums, regular meetings are held with business forum representatives to address any concerns,” said Dlamini.

He said some businesses, particularly those owned by foreign nationals, struggle to provide the required documentation, which has become a common challenge for business forums in Germiston assisting entrepreneurs with compliance.

“A standard procedure applies across the city for business license and trading permit registration.

“Concerns have been raised about residents ‘fronting’ to assist illegal foreign nationals in obtaining these permits. We strongly advise against this practice.

“There are ongoing reviews to improve the registration process, and at this stage, no major challenges have been identified,” Dlamini said.