uMhlathuze city’s informal traders with valid permits can continue to trade

INFORMAL food traders in the City of uMhlathuze who already have valid trading permits, will be allowed to operate during the 21-day lockdown period.

This follows the amendment of the lockdown regulations which allow, among others, spaza shops and informal food traders to remain operational – if they obtain permission from a municipal authority.

The uMhlathuze Municipality said it would not be issuing any new or special trading permits.

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‘Informal traders already in possession of valid trading permits can continue doing business during the 21-day national lockdown.

‘Registered spaza shops are also allowed to trade with their valid trading documents,’ said municipal spokesperson, Mdu Ncalane.

Informal food traders whose permits have expired will be requested to produce proof of payment in the form of a receipt for renewal.

‘The plastic ID cards normally issued to all compliant informal traders are the only legitimate cards that should be produced by the informal traders.

‘These should have been issued before 26 March by the municipality’s financial services section,’ Ncalane said.

‘The Government Gazette, however, specifies that informal traders who are permitted to trade during the national lockdown are those who do not deal with cooked food, but in fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables,’ Ncalane said.

He added that the city’s law enforcement team, SAPS and the SANDF will monitor the correct implementation of these amended regulations in all areas around the city. ‘The municipality would also like to point out that no permits are obtainable from councillors.’

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