Government has launched a registration portal for businesses that suffered losses in the unrest which rocked the country in July. KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng were the hotbeds of looting activity but a knock-on effect saw businesses in other regions also suffering.
“As part of the relief package announced by president Cyril Ramaphosa on 25 July, a range of measures are being implemented by national and provincial governments to help small and medium businesses, which suffered damage or losses, to rebuild,” National Treasury said in a statement.
On the portal’s landing page it states that it is for data collection only, and treasury says it will help authorities gather information from affected businesses in order to coordinate relief measures and to inform future interventions.
It will also provide a single entry point for businesses to indicate to authorities the extent of the losses they had suffered, and to access available support.
“The government calls on all business owners who were affected by the unrest between 9 and 19 July 2021 to register on the portal.”
Business owners who have problems accessing the portal may use the toll-free call centre contact number from 08:00 to 17:00 on weekdays. The call centre will be closed on public holidays.
Data will be secure
Treasury said in its statement that businesses’ data will be kept secure. The information will only be used to improve the delivery of support to businesses, which will be administered through various national and provincial government entities. All businesses affected by the unrest are encouraged to register.
The portal and call centre will remain open for affected businesses to register until Thursday, 30 September at 17:00.
Click here to register. Alternatively, dial 080 006 0085.
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