Minister of Small Business condemns violence and looting

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Pretoria – Minister of Small Business Development Lindiwe Zulu has condemned the ongoing violence involving foreign-owned business people and locals in some parts of the country.

“We appeal to members of our communities to co-operate with the police and not take the law into their own hands,” Department of Small Business Development spokesperson Cornelius Monama said.

He said in the last few days, violent incidents took place in Marikana informal  settlement, Philippi in the Western Cape, Thembelihle informal settlement in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg and in some villages outside Modjadjiskloof in Limpopo.

“We remain confident that our law-enforcement agencies will leave no stone unturned in their quest to save life and property, to restore calm and stability in the affected areas, and to deal firmly against those who the law into their own hands,” Monama said.

Minister Zulu has established a task team to probe the underlying causes of the problem and to advise her on what needs to be done.

“Consistent with our view that only a multi-sectoral response can deliver a lasting solution, the task team is constituted by all relevant government departments and institutions.

“The team is making a lot of progress and the Minister will brief the public at an appropriate time,” he said.

Monama said government proceeded from the premise that all people living in South Africa including foreigners are entitled to the full protection of the law.

In terms of the Constitution, asylum‐seekers and refugees can establish and conduct businesses in South Africa.

Monana said foreigners who owned businesses were also subjected to the same taxes and levies as South Africans.

“We appeal to members of our communities to allow government departments and other state agencies space to address the situation,” he said.

Monana said Minister Zulu was determined to fast-track the implementation of the National Informal Business Upliftment Strategy (NIBUS) as part of addressing the concerns and challenges that face the informal business sector.

“NIBUS is anchored on three key pillars, namely skills development among the South African population, exploring partnerships between locals and foreign traders and reviewing policies and regulations,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za