Businesses will be scrutinised via the Business Act which is currently being reviewed by the Department of Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Destea). Amongst others, the department will enforce business by-laws to curb the alleged trade in illicit goods, the building of illegal business structures, and trading without business permits.

This has previously gained traction and criticism from Mangaung residents, who called on the MEC, Makalo Mohale, to make sure that businesses are regulated and if found on the wrong side of the law, are dealt with. Whilst delivering his multimillion-rand budget speech for 2022/23 in the Free State Provincial Legislature's sitting in the Fourth Raadsaal on Friday, Mohale mentioned that part of the purpose for reviewing the Business Act is to ensure that uniform standards and a framework for issuing of business licences or permits are incorporated into the Act.

The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) has been busy with the process of reviewing Business Act No. 71 of 1991 to, amongst others, bring it in line with the new dispensation, as this Act pre-dates 1994. "The review will also see to it that all municipalities will be able to align their by-laws related to business licensing accordingly,” he says.

MEC Mohale on Friday announced that the Destea Consumer Protection Office has conducted 81 compliance inspections this year, resulting in various forms of consequences for business owners.

“Furthermore, the Free State Gambling, Liquor and Tourism Authority (FSGLTA) completed 1252 liquor compliance inspections, 13 enforcement operations and completed 28 gambling revenue audits,” Mohale further adds. 

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