Informal traders, here’s where to apply for lockdown trading permit

POLOKWANE – Due to further amendments gazetted by Government during the Covid-19 lockdown, the municipality is now required to provide written permission for grocery stores, wholesale produce markets, informal food traders and spaza shops. This is to allow these businesses to operate for the duration of the lockdown.

Municipal Spokesperson, Thipa Selala has urged all qualifying businesses who wish to operate during the lockdown, to apply for a temporary operational permit from the municipality.

“The application for temporary operational permit is only open to registered and approved spaza shops, in terms of terms of the Polokwane/Perskebult Town Planning Scheme or provision or Proclamation R188 of 1962. Applications for the temporary operational permits are only for existing traders that comply with the requirements per their business category and wishing to trade during the lockdown. No new applications will be considered for this period,” he said.

Selala added that traders who will be granted temporary operational permits are expected to comply with the health and safety regulations for the prevention of Covid-19. “The municipality urges qualifying traders to use electronic applications in order to observe social distancing to flatten the curve of infection. Those who do not qualify are requested not to submit applications nor to come to the civic centre,” he said.

Application forms can be downloaded from the municipal website (www.polokwane.gov.za) and can be made electronically via email or at the Polokwane Civic Centre on the following days:
– Monday, 6 April to Wednesday, 8 April between 10:00 and 14:00
– Thursday, 9 April between 10:00 and 12:00.

Applications for informal traders should be submitted electronically to Nare Marotola via email (narem@polokwane.gov.za). He can be contacted at 083 672 1147 to confirm if the application was received.

Applications for spaza shops, wholesale produce markets and grocery stores should be emailed to Edwin Shika via email (edwins@polokwane.gov.za or LDA@polokwane.gov.za). He can be contacted at 081 387 0876.

Selala added that grocery stores and wholesale produce markets must have their zoning certificates to be issued with a temporary permit.

Informal traders who are already registered on the municipal database or operating and have already submitted an application for fruit, vegetable and informal food trading, qualify and should bring along:
• Proof of submission of application form issued by the municipality;
• Certified copy of South African ID; and
• A completed application form obtained from the municipality between December 2019 and January 2020.

The municipality encourages the public to adhere to all health and safety measures that are in place, to practice social distancing at all times and to stay at home.