Picture: The data capturers appointed in quest of curbing illegal tuck shops/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation & Tourism (DEDECT), Virginia Tlhapi said the induction of 113 young data capturers, will bolster efforts to consolidate and update the North West Business Licensing Database.
Tlhapi said the two-day workshop held in Rustenburg from 15-16 November 2023, provided comprehensive training on the roles and responsibilities of data capturers by equipping them with the necessary skills to effectively fulfil their duties.
“You need to do your work with a sense of encouragement and appreciation. I am grateful for your willingness to take on the responsibility of making a positive change in their communities by identifying and addressing illegal tuck shops that operate without licenses or use fraudulent documents.
“This initiative will help to combat criminal activities and ensure that all businesses in the province are operating legally and ethically. The data capturers will play a crucial role in this process by visiting every business outlet in their assigned areas and conducting thorough checks to verify their licenses and compliance with regulations,” she said.
Tlhapi further said the province is plagued by illegal tuck shops that are not registered and operating without the necessary licences. She added that, as the department responsible for regulating businesses, they need assistance in identifying and registering these outlets.
“This is why we are here today conducting this induction and workshop to make sure that, everyone involved in this operation has a clear vision and understanding of the goals we are trying to achieve,” said Tlhapi.
Meanwhile, the DEDECT’s Chief Director for Business Regulations, Onnicah Sithole, shared the same sentiments. Sithole said the importance of this initiative is to emphasise the critical role that the data capturers will play in ensuring compliance with the North West Business Licensing Act No. 03 of 2019.
“The appointments of these data capturers will significantly enhance our ability to verify that all businesses operating within the province are duly licensed with their respective municipalities.
“The data capturers who have been appointed for a one-year term, will be responsible for ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and escalating any non-compliance issues to the department’s regulatory divisions,” she said.
Sithole said they have implemented stringent monitoring mechanisms to oversee the daily activities of the data capturers. She said they are required to submit weekly reports to their management teams for consolidation and subsequent submission to the department.
“This will enable us to maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date business licensing database, allowing us to effectively regulate business operations within the province. The department urges all business owners to collaborate with the data capturers to ensure seamless compliance with the North West Business Licensing Act.
“By working together, businesses can contribute to a well-regulated business environment that fosters growth and economic prosperity in the province,” said Sithole.
The Guardian 