Noted to editors: Please find the attached soundbite by Madeleine Hicklin MPL.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng condemns the decision by Tshwane Health MMC, Cllr Tshegofatso Mashabela, to authorise Tshwane Municipal Health Services Inspectors to intimidate market owners and vendors. These inspectors are demanding additional Certificates of Acceptability (COA) and imposing hefty fines on those unable to present these certificates while selling their goods. This decision has caused traders to lose thousands of rands as many no longer go to the markets because of the punitive penalties imposed.
The DA Gauteng has received several complaints from traders regarding the additional Certificate of Acceptability (COA) introduced by MMC Mashabela. The cost of this COA is approximately R1008.00 per event attended by a trader. If traders fail to produce this COA, they face a spot fine of R5000.00. These punitive charges are also applicable to market owners who organise markets.
“This is a travesty of justice because all the traders, stallholders, and exhibitors requested to have this additional COA possess valid Certificates of acceptability (COA) issued by various Departments of Environmental Health throughout Gauteng as granted by the R638 Food Regulations instituted to ensure that all food products are safe for human consumption. Therefore, forcing them to obtain costly, separate, and additional Certificates of acceptability (COA) on market day to sell their goods is unacceptable,” says Madeleine Hicklin, DA MPL.
“All Certificates of Acceptability issued under the R638 regulation must be valid across Gauteng. There should be no deviations or variations that allow Tshwane to require traders to obtain additional certificates for separate premises. This adds an unnecessary financial burden on the hardworking men and women striving to make a living in this challenging economy,” adds Hicklin.
The DA Gauteng launched a petition on 05 December 2024 against the Tshwane metro’s demand for extra COA and illegal fines. The petition has garnered many signatures and will be presented to the Health and Wellness Portfolio Committee and the Standing Committee on Petitions in the Gauteng Legislature. The actions requested in our petition include:
- Stop taking money from hard-working and struggling citizens.
- Regulations outlined in R638 should be applied uniformly across all Gauteng metros; Tshwane must not deviate from or make any variations to these regulations.
- Uphold everyone’s right to trade and earn a living without fear of harassment and exploitation.
The DA MPL, Hicklin will also table questions to the MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo, to ascertain the legality of the actions taken by the Tshwane MMC, as well as the total amount of money collected from traders through fines and into which bank account the money was paid for the additional COAs or fines.
The DA Gauteng is committed to ensuring traders are registered and comply with existing regulations. However, we will not stay silent in cases where they are abused.