Hawkers to get new stalls in Standerton CBD
Lekwa is in the process of consulting with mining companies to set up informal stalls for vendors.
Several unregistered businesses are operating in the Lekwa Local Municipality (LLM). Although many comply with Lekwa’s business policies and by-laws, some do not.
The Standerton Advertiser regularly receives complaints about unregistered businesses causing noise and polluting the areas where they operate.
We asked the municipality what constitutes an unregistered business and what is required for businesses to comply with the law.
“The municipality supports and encourages entrepreneurs to be compliant with the Business Licensing Act 1991,” said Lubabalo Majenge, communications officer for the LLM.
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Businesses must also comply with the council-approved Lekwa informal trading policy, which appeared in the Government Gazette on December 13, 2024.
Informal food stalls and vendors are required by law to be registered and comply with general hygiene requirements. The application form also requires submission of a valid zoning certificate.
It is the responsibility of the environmental health practitioner at the Gert Sibande District Municipality to enforce health and safety laws.
According to Majenge, municipal health services need to conduct inspections to ensure legislative compliance before a business can obtain a trading license.
“The municipality regularly deals with noise pollution reports caused by home-based and open-field businesses,” stated Majenge.
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These complaints are typically handled by different divisions, such as environmental management for pollution, and town planning for zoning violations.
Currently, the only designated area where unregistered businesses may operate is on Mbonani Mayisela Street. Several informal stalls have been erected for vendors to set up their shops.
The council is currently working on improving the area by funding the construction of hawker stalls in the CBD.
“We will erect stalls to make sure informal trading is taking place in a well-regulated environment,” stated Majenge.
