Beware of fraudulent business licenses, permits and COA’s

The City of Johannesburg’s Environmental Health Directorate would like to warn the public against people who are posing as Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs).

It has come to our attention that there are people within the City of Johannesburg, who are pretending to be Environmental Health Practitioners issuing fraudulent Business licenses, permits and Certificate of Acceptability to the business owners, and charging them for these services. Please note that issuing of the Certificate of Acceptability (C.O.A) is free of charge.

For business licenses and permits, there are stipulated tariffs, in accordance with the Business Act. And the only costs involved and payable are those that have been approved by the Council in terms of its fees and tariffs structure.

Health Permits are issued in accordance with the Public Health By-Laws.

No rewards must be made for services rendered as that might considered as bribe. A criminal case will be opened at the SAPS, against any client and official for acts of fraud and corruption.

Environmental Health and Business License Officers are involved in compliance monitoring of premises such as those requiring licensing in terms of the Businesses Act. It has to be pointed out that the following services are regarded as Municipal Health Services in terms of the National Health Act, 61 of 2003:

1. Food control
2. Waste management
3. Health surveillance of premises
4. Surveillance and prevention of communicable diseases
5. Vector control
6. Environmental pollution control (these services form an integral part of business licensing and have to be evaluated before a license is issued.)
7. Disposal of the dead
8. Environmental Pollution Control
9. Chemical safety

License Application Process

• The applicant has to lodge an application for an apposite license at the Regional Environmental Health office.
• The Business License Officer, designated staff member or Business License Assistant has to advise the applicant on the following:

• Legislative provisions and processes that are to be followed
• The Council’s policy
• The applicable application fees as determined by the Council annually, and where to pay his/her application fee. (Please note that no Environmental Health Practitioner is allowed to accept any payment)
• The proof of payment must be returned to Environmental Health Offices without delay

All City of Johannesburg’s Environmental Health Practitioners have official identification cards that they must produce when conducting an inspection at all times.

The City of Johannesburg Health Department will continue to take measures within its available resources to improve the quality of lives of our people and will endeavour to progressively improve the service delivery.

For more information on any Environmental Health related issues, please call: (011) 407-6494 / 6545.

Issued by the City of Johannesburg

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