Court sets aside business lockdown permit regulations
Business organisation Sakeliga has won its bid against government to set aside a range of licensing requirements implemented under the state of disaster regulations.
In May, Sakeliga launched a court case hoping to alter some of the Covid-19 lockdown regulations.
Sakeliga asked the court to order that the government not to direct organs of state to issue licences, permits, or certificates under the state of disaster.
The court ruled in its favour on Monday.
CEO Piet le Roux says the judgment is a victory, especially for township traders.
“Right from the lockdown or state of disaster period, government started to implement what amounts to a business licensing system which, if it were to be successful, would basically require all the businesses in the country whether a company or a sole proprietor to have pre-approval from government before it is allowed to do business or to trade.
“This is a completely unacceptable state of affairs.”
ALSO READ:
Human Rights Commission mulls court action as Western Cape schools reopen
Pupils across the country were set to return to the classroom on Monday but at the 11 th hour, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga shifted the goalposts. SAHRC commissioner Andre Gaum says the Western Cape should not be exempt from this decision.
Le Roux adds that government had overstepped its mandate.
“The system of business licensing that government sought to introduce during this time of medical upheaval is morally objectionable and was building up a whole system of red tape that was going to harm businesses going forward.
“The judgment means as a business you need no license that you did not need before the state of disasters was declared, with the exception of self-issued permit.”
Piet le Roux explains: