David Makhura: New bill will prohibit foreigners from operating ‘certain’ businesses

Gauteng Premier, David Makhura told the provincial legislature, on Tuesday, that the only way to propel more locals into economic participation was to exclude foreign nationals from operating ‘certain businesses’.

David Makhura teases Township Economy Bill

This, David Makhura said, was part of the Township Economy Bill, a proposal that seeks to empower people who have been cast out of economic participation, in settlements outside the buzz of the province’s central business districts.

The Premier stated that they have identified certain businesses that have been dominated by foreign nationals, with very little room for locals to exploit the market.

We attempted, without success, to solicit more information from the office of the Premier, about which businesses they were referring to.

However, the fact that Makhura’s assertions came soon after foreign-owned spaza shops were raided by frustrated residents from the following townships:

• Dobsonville;
• Rockville;
• Zola;
• Orlando;
• Meadowlands;
• Emndeni;
• Moletsane;
• White City; and
• Zondi.

This leads one to think that he may be referring to businesses in the informal sector.

In South Africa, foreign nationals often operate spaza shops, wholesale retail outlets, barbershops, as well as electronic repair and sales stores, among others.

David Makhura noted that more would be revealed in greater detail once the Township Economy Bill has been finalised and presented for government and public consultation.

“We feel very very strong, where we can’t have a situation where even the smallest type of economy in the township that is open for all kinds of traders where our local economy is able to do that, includes areas of industrialisation in certain tax sectors… we want to emphasise particularly black industrialists,” he said

“Tighten the borders” – Makhura talks in DA rhetoric

The Premier admitted that the outcomes of the counterfeit and illegal trade raids were proof that South Africa faced a serious border crisis.

Counterfeit goods have a devastating impact on the economy. Part of the goal of Operation @OkaeMolaoGP is to ensure that bylaws and regulations are adhered to-Premier @David_Makhura @GPLegislature pic.twitter.com/VAZAhDzs7T

— GautengGov (@GautengProvince) August 27, 2019

Makhura called for greater security at our borders, which are the main port of entry for counterfeit goods and undocumented foreign nationals.

“We don’t want to build a wall to stop [them from entering our country], we want to strengthen border security and we also have an immigration policy because we want to attract skills in our continent,” he added.