THE eThekwini Municipality has issued a statement urging business owners to remember to renew their business licences before the renewal period comes to an end.
“I wish to remind all businesses operating in eThekwini Municipality to renew their operating licences to continue conducting business for the new year,” said eThekwini Municipality mayor Mxolisi Kaunda. The renewal season kicks off yearly, starting on December 1, at no cost, and businesses are given until the last day of January the following year.
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This process is conducted annually and is very critical in terms of the Business Act 71 of 1991, under Section 15 of Business Regulations.
The act requires that every licence holder must confirm, every year, that the business for which the licence was issued is continuing to be conducted from the premises specified in the licence. Also that no other business for which a licence is required, in terms of the act, is being conducted from the same licensed premises.
Mayor Kaunda also encouraged businesses that are trading illegally to apply for licences as it is a criminal act to trade without one. For food and accommodation establishments, a licence is only R574, while a licence for running an entertainment venue is R2 842. You only pay once for a licence that is valid for as long as the business is operational.
Businesses can renew licences from the comfort of their own homes via the online Business Portal under E-services on the municipality’s website: www.durban.gov.za. Alternatively, they can visit their nearest Business Licensing offices where they initially applied for the trading licence.
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