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MEDIA STATEMENT

16 APRIL 2020

CIPC CERTIFICATION PROCESS FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICE BUSINESSES DURING EXTENDED LOCKDOWN

16 April 2020

Companies, which are registered through the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission's (CIPC) BizPortal to perform essential services during the lockdown period, will be required to have a new certificate from the BizPortal website for the extended period, which begins tomorrow 17 April 2020.

The certificate will be sent via email using the details provided at the time of registration, and will also be available for download from today. Companies will receive the certificates from today and the full list of registered companies will have received their certificates by the weekend.

The new certificate will clearly state that it is for the extended lockdown period, beginning 17 April 2020, and South African Police Service officials will be told which certificates to look for.

Certificates issued before today will no longer be valid and must be disposed of. To provide time for businesses to adjust to the new requirements, the new certificates will be available to be displayed from start of business on Monday, 20 April 2020.

The department reminds the public that possession of the CIPC certificate is still subject to the company fully complying with the applicable Lockdown Regulations and is a record of the company’s details, and does not in itself constitute the right to continue operating during the period.

Only businesses which provide essential services in terms of the Lockdown Regulations, as amended, issued by the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs may continue their operations during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The CIPC certificate is a reference to the legal registration of the company in terms of the Companies Act, 2008 (Act No. 71 of 2008) and a record of registration to the CIPC. It does not give a firm or individual a right to trade if that company does not fall into an Essential Service as defined in the Lockdown Regulations.

The Department clarifies that the registration portal is only for companies registered in terms of the Companies Act. Other essential service providers, like healthcare professionals registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, sole proprietors who provide essential goods and services (like small business owners and spaza shops), and small-scale farmers will not register through the Bizportal. These businesses will not have a CIPC certificate, but must still comply with the provisions of the lockdown regulations.

Where the CIPC finds that certificates have been issued to companies which do not meet the definitions of an essential service, such certificate will be revoked, and the company will be referred to the South African Police Services. False declaration by the company is a criminal offence and will result in prosecution, in terms of Lockdown Regulations.

The regulations for the extended lockdown have also clarified that the transportation of liquor is prohibited, except where alcohol is required for industries producing hand sanitizers, disinfectants, soap, alcohol for industrial use and household cleaning products.

To confirm if your business complies, please consult the necessary regulation at https://www.gov.za/documents/disaster-management-act-regulations-address-prevent-and-combat-spread-coronavirus-covid-19.

Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti
 



DATE: 26 MARCH 2020

As of 14h00 this afternoon, more than 10 000 companies have already registered as providers of essential goods and services. Most of these have been in food supply, medical and pharmaceutical services and transport services. We will provide a further update on communication platforms as to the number of registered businesses during the lockdown period.  

The regulations issued by the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs provide for a form or certificate to be issued by companies who provide essential services to their workers, to be carried when travelling to and from work

Many companies have requested that they log their details with the Government during the lockdown period.

We have thus introduced a portal at the website run by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) to log company details only where companies comply with the regulations issued by the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on 25 March 2020 in Government Notice 398 of Government Gazette No. 43148 (“lockdown regulations”).

The website can be found at www.bizportal.gov.za.

The system is currently running with full functionality. We ask that companies be patient through the registration process, as there are large volumes presently being experienced. No companies will be prejudiced by any delay in the system. The service will continue to run tomorrow and beyond and it is not a requirement that companies complete registration before the lockdown begins.

Only companies permitted in terms of the lockdown regulations will be allowed to continue operating through the period. Possession of a CIPC certificate does not constitute permission to operate during the lockdown. Companies must be guided by the regulation as to whether their business operations constitute essential services. Any misrepresentation of information is a criminal offence and will be prosecuted. Already we have seen companies selling on-premise consumption of alcohol registering through the platform. Other examples include non-essential grooming for pets. We will advise these companies that this is not permitted, and may take further action if required.

Companies may issue letters to their workers independent of the registration process, which must be done ahead of the lockdown at midnight tonight.

Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry
Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti
 

 25 March 2020

President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this week ordered a 21-day lockdown with severe restrictions on travel and movement – beginning midnight on Thursday – to combat the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus in the country.

And on the eve of the lockdown, the government has published the final regulations that all South Africans will have to adhere to.

The document includes details on which businesses will close down over the period, and which services are considered essential. It also details the restriction of movement

For the period of lockdown: every person is confined to his or her place of residence, unless strictly for the purpose of performing an essential service, obtaining an essential good or service, collecting a social grant, or seeking emergency, life-saving, or chronic medical attention.

The lockdown will commence from 23h59 on Thursday 26 March, and is expected to continue for 21 days until 16 April 2020.

Read the final lockdown regulations in full below.

>>>Final Lockdown Regulations<<<
 


Dear Member

The recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused significant disruption and will have an impact on both individuals and business in South Africa. At a NEDLAC meeting on Monday, the social partners acknowledged that this situation is ‘unprecedented and requires an unprecedented response’ and it was agreed to establish a Response Team to work together for ‘co-operation, collaboration and common action’.  Initiatives are currently being discussed to assist and support businesses during this time.

It is accepted that it is not ‘working as usual’ and Workplaces will need to adapt in different ways to respond to the challenges. It was acknowledged by business that remote work and the virtual office environment will be essential for business continuity.  

 In the last few days, members have indicated that the financial impact on businesses is being felt with postponement/cancellation of interviews, freezing of recruitment and general indecisiveness from clients. In dealing with this it is important that we retain a human-centered approach and remain cognisant of the candidate who is central to the process.

Many businesses in our industry have already embraced technology and are using this as an opportunity to add value to clients by advising them on the use of technology and platforms for interviewing and to enhance and streamline the recruitment process.

 APSO Operations:

  • APSO has for some time offered training interventions in an on-line format. We will continue to scale our capacity in this regard to reduce face-to-face training as we respond to the call for social distancing.  
  • In addition, the use of digital platforms to host all interactions with our members, stakeholders and service providers have been implemented.
  • Urgent communications will be circulated as Industry Alerts via email and on APSO social media platforms when necessary.
  • In light of the restrictions on gatherings of 100 or more people, APSO has taken the decision to postpone our June Conference. Further communications will follow as the situation is re-assessed.

Understanding and responding to COVID-19 is ever-changing but we will continue to share information on interventions offered by our Business Partners that could assist and support members during this time. Further communication and advice will follow shortly for those members in the TES space.

It is crucial during these uncertain times that accurate information is accessible. We recommend the Department of Health’s official COVID-19 Support Service Whatsapp platform that can be accessed as follows:

Whatsapp “Hi” to +27600123456 for this service to be activated on your cellular device. You will receive a response with a list of related topics which you can access.

We encourage members to be vigilant and support the guidelines and protocols issued by the Department of Health to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

We wish all members good health and strength during this challenging time.


Kind regards

Jacqui Ford

 APSO: CEO

 


Dear Member 

As the preparations for the impact of COVID-19 increase and the push for initiatives such as #FlattenTheCurve take traction, the ramifications and the impact of COVID-19 are being felt in the staffing sector.   

We have put together a list of documents (attached) that we have found useful during these challenging times:

In addition, the following websites provide updated, reliable information and the latest news:

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries 

https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

https://coronavirus.asata.co.za

https://sacoronavirus.co.za 

We also recommend the Department of Health’s official COVID-19 Support Service Whatsapp platform that can be accessed as follows:

Whatsapp “Hi” to +27600123456 for this service to be activated on your cellular device. You will receive a response with a list of related topics which you can access.

The Department of Health Emergency Hot-line number: 0800 029 999

Our industry is operating in very challenging and uncertain times. Many businesses are facing the reality of having to rethink their business models and processes. Some are seeing this as an opportunity to reflect, improve and prepare for future growth.  Many of our members have moved to remote working modules and have had to hone their skills in Tech Recruitment and familiarise themselves and their clients with interviews being conducted on virtual platforms.

While some are being negatively impacted, there are equally other businesses that have reported little impact, seen growth in certain sectors and are still meeting their revenue targets.

To assist members in managing the dynamics around Coronavirus, we have been able to secure a Webinar to be facilitated by Johnny Goldberg. The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday 25th March 2020 at 11:00 am. This webinar is offered at NO COST to members. Registration details will follow shortly.

Johnny will be covering a variety of important topics during the course of the webinar and will also allow an opportunity for Q & A.

These include:

  • Business continuity plans
  • Financial impact, time-off
  • Workflow changes and managing work arrangements
  • Resources and Links
  • Employee health status

We wish you health and strength during these challenging times and assure you of our continued support. 

Jacqui Ford




20 March 2020

Small business minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said that the fund is aimed at providing relief on existing debts and repayments.

“For SMMEs to be eligible for assistance under the debt relief fund, the applicant must demonstrate the direct link of the impact or the potential impact of Covid-19 on business operations,”  Ntshavheni said.

“This facility will also assist entities to acquire raw material, pay labour and operational costs. All these interventions will be structured to match the patterns of the SMMEs cash flows, as well as the extent of the impact suffered.”

  • To strengthen monitoring and avoid abuse, businesses requiring assistance will be required to enrol on the SMME South Africa platform here.
  • This platform will go live on Tuesday, 24 March 2020.

In future, the database will also be used to apply for both financial and non-financial support, access information about business opportunities, and access market opportunities, Ntshavheni said.

“As the nation grapples with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the department will be guided by the National Command Council in determining the sectors that are deemed severely impacted in order to qualify for the debt relief fund.”

Alongside the new fund, Ntshavheni said her department would also be launching a ‘Business Growth/Resilience facility’ which has been specifically created to enable continued participation of SMMEs in supply value-chains –  particularly those which manufacture or supply items which are in demand due to the pandemic.

This facility will offer working capital, stock, bridging finance, order finance and equipment finance, and the amount required will be based on the funding needs of the business, Ntshavheni said.

These businesses have also been asked to enrol on the SMME South Africa platform.

SARB relief for banks and funders

The South African Reserve Bank on Friday said that it will also restructure its market liquidity management strategy, which will give some relief to banks and funding markets which have taken strain because of the global market crash due to the coronavirus.

“When markets are tight the SARB needs to ensure that banks have easier access to funding and that there is sufficient liquidity in the market,” said Alvin Chawasema, a trader at Sasfin Securities.

“They are lending cheaper to banks now and making it more punitive for banks to park money at the SARB, effectively encouraging inter-bank lending and activity.”

The central bank said it will provide intraday liquidity support to clearing banks, through auctions conducted daily between 10h00 and 13h00 – except Wednesdays when the main repurchase transaction is conducted.

This will be carried out at an interest rate equal to the repo rate.

According to SARB, this additional liquidity will result in the current money market shortage declining below the current target level of R56 billion. The size of the Main Refinancing Operations will be kept at R56 billion but may be increased if deemed necessary to meet demand.

The SARB also announced that it will be adjusting the standing facilities borrowing rate (the rate at which the bank absorbs liquidity) as well as the standing facilities lending rate.

The borrowing rate will be adjusted to the repo rate -2%, from the repo rate -1% it currently uses, and the lending rate will be adjusted to below the repo rate, from the repo rate +1% it currently uses.

“The SARB deemed this change necessary in order to encourage the flow of money market liquidity, and to support banks to facilitate their flow of money market liquidity without being penalised,” it said.
 
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