Shop owners urged to register their shops
Shop owners will be imprisoned for not complying with laws.
HIGHVELD – There was an outcry from spaza and tuck shop owners in the Govan Mbeki municipal area after they received letters from municipal officials instructing them to close their shops.
The letters were handed out to both local and foreign national shop owners, stating that they should close their shops on or before Monday, 28 December.
Letters stipulated that residents are using land meant for dwelling not for business purposes, and it is in contravention of the Section 1.3 of the Govan Mbeki municipal Land Use Scheme.
It further stated that should land owners or occupants fail to comply with the request, a fine of R5 000 will be imposed on them or they will be imprisoned for a period of one year.
They were also informed in the letter that if they applied for an amendment of the scheme or change of land use rights, they are still not permitted to carry on with any activities which are incongruous with the present Land Use Rights, until such time when the application is approved.
Shop owners raised concerns that not all shop owners received the letters.
Other residents who have spaza shops in their yards as a means of survival, said they were surprised that the municipality targeted only shop owners while there are other people who are operating other types of businesses in their yards, but were not given the letters.
“There are many people who are operating various types of businesses, such as salons, coal, those making window frames and also renting out rooms.
“Why only us?” asked a shop owner from eMbalenhle.
Some shop owners said the municipality cannot target those who are renting out rooms, because all ward councillors are in the business of renting out rooms.
The Speaker of the Govan Mbeki Municipality, Mr Cyril Gwiji, said the municipality is trying to enforce by-laws which will help in controlling businesses in the area.
He further said that all spaza and tuck shop owners should visit the municipality to register their shops on a database where they will also get more information about compliance.
Residents who have rented out shops to foreign nationals, should also register the shops themselves, not the foreign nationals.
The owner of the stand should register the property.
On the accusation of the property renting business, he said all the stands that have rented rooms are charged as businesses regarding water and sanitation rates.
The municipality said the Compliance and Law Enforcement Unit was established for the purpose of ensuring that businesses and the community adhere to legislation and all municipal by-laws.
“It is the municipality’s responsibility to govern within its area of jurisdiction in line with the prescript of Section 156 of the Constitution,” said Mr Gwiji.
“It must be noted that the municipality is merely ensuring adherence to legislation and does not victimise or discriminate against anyone.”
For more information about compliance and law enforcement issues, contact the office of the director: Community Services at 017 620 6310/6316.
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