Vendors cry foul over Tshwane’s costly food certificates

The Tshwane metro’s enforcement of Regulation 638, which requires food vendors to obtain a certificate of acceptability (COA) for every market, has sparked outrage among street vendors who claim the process is costly and unfair.

According to vendors, the COA is required for each market or event they participate in, at a cost of R1 000 per certificate.

This, they said, is in addition to stall fees, stock costs, and employee salaries.

Antone Botes, a market vendor, said the costs are crippling his business.

“For food vendors who make R4 000 per day, we have to pay R1 000 for the certificate, plus stall fees, buy stock, and pay employees. It’s unsustainable.”

Botes added that if vendors don’t have the COA, inspectors will intimidate them into paying a R4 000 fine.

“I’ve had to stop vending in Tshwane because of this issue,” he said.

Botes also pointed out that in other metros, he only needs one COA, which is valid anywhere in the metro.

Colleen Lorians, another market vendor, shared the same concerns as Botes.

“Having to apply for a COA for each market adds strain to our pockets. In other metros, we only need one COA, and it covers us for the whole city.”

However, Lorians said she has never been intimidated by inspectors.

“I’ve only had one incident where I was approached by inspectors, and they were nice, friendly, and professional.”

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the municipality is enforcing Regulation 638, which requires every food premises to operate with a valid COA.

Mashigo explained that the COA is not transferable from one person to another or from one premises to another.

“Each premises, based on the nature of handling, is issued with a COA at the address at which the premises is operating.”

He said that the courts, after taking into account the seriousness of the offences, determine fines, rather than the municipality.

In response to allegations of intimidation by inspectors, Mashigo said the Health Department is not aware of any incidents.

“Inspectors carry out their mandate in line with their powers and functions in relation to food safety,” said Mashigo.

He added that traders and event organisers were called to a special meeting to discuss the new certification arrangements.

He said they were given an opportunity to raise questions and concerns, and all these were discussed.

When asked about alternative solutions, Mashigo said the emphasis is on ensuring food safety, and the certification requirements are based on legislative prescripts.

Mashigo said they have received feedback from traders, which was addressed in the special meeting.

“To this end, new proposals to separate and reduce charges of small businesses and traders from those of formal businesses have been submitted for consideration in the public participation process.”

Mashigo added that the metro’s health department commits to always undertake its legal mandate with the utmost fairness and respect to all.

He said unless the legislation is amended, it will be applied to the latter in its current form.

“The city did not undertake any assessment of the economic impact of the new certification requirements on small businesses and traders as yet,” said Mashigo.

“The city will be conducting the economic impact assessment in due course.”

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