AT least eight supermarkets were on Thursday shut down in Maseru during a one-day campaign intended to establish whether or not foreign businesses were trading legally.
business
Aug. 28, 2021
STAFF REPORTER
2 min read
Illegal foreign supermarkets closed
The Minister of Small Businesses, Marketing and Cooperatives, Dr Thabiso Molapo
The operation was led by the Minister of Small Business, Cooperatives and Marketing, Dr Thabiso Molapo and the Maseru District Administrator, Motinyane Motinyane.
Senior Commercial Officer in the ministry, Palesa Ralebitso said the closed supermarkets among others include LM, Handy, Circle, Asia, Lejoeng, a hardware store and a Snack Bar.
The campaign follows a complaint by local traders during a tour of the district by Prime Minister, Dr Moeketsi Majoro and the Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Kemiso Mosenene in July.
Ms Ralebitso said the majority of the inspected and closed supermarkets were operating without Tax Clearance Certificates, Personal Tax Clearance, Valid Trading License and other business documents.
Enjoy our daily newsletter from today
Access exclusive newsletters, along with previews of new media releases.
The owners were ordered to operate legally and meet all traders’ requirements or else their businesses would be closed forever, she said.
She noted that they were also advised to meet the DA after collecting all legal traders’ documents allowing them to operate legally.
The campaign was a joint operation that involved stakeholders such as the Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA), the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Small Business, Cooperatives and Marketing. LeNA