24 May 2020

Maun Administrative Authority (MAA) has secured a trading space at the Central Business District (CBD) to relocate small businesses that have been using open spaces, pathways and road reserves at Maun’ Old mall.

The business owners had been urged to remove their belongings since trading was no more allowed in their initial areas of operations.

MAA senior assistant council secretary (SACS), Ms Mogomotsi Seemule, confirmed in an interview that starting May 25, there would be no more trading by the car parking, pathways and open space next to Nandos.

The council, she said, had secured a space where to place small businesses so that they operate in a systematic and organised manner.

Currently, she said the council was designating and marking areas of operation since they wanted them to follow the COVID-19 pandemic protocols and also keep the surroundings clean.

She said they wanted to ensure social distancing by placing vendors two metres apart, adding that the idea was to put them according to their business type.

Ms Seemule cited that those selling vegetables would be grouped together while those selling second clothes would be on one side.

Furthermore, she revealed that the secured space could only accommodate 100 people and they had learnt that those operating in the mall were over 170, hence use of a system to ensure transparency and fairness.

Since the spaces were not owned, she said the council suggested that they trade for three months and pave way for the remaining ones but stated that the Small Business Association was against that and asked for six months and the council compromised.

Ms Seemule further highlighted that the association had been asked to submit names of their membership to be considered for the new placement in the CBD appreciating that some business owners were not registered with the association.

However, she said efforts were under way to look for other areas of trading, adding that they would continue to engage the association to discuss if the identified area was convenient for business.

Ms Seemule explained that the issue of relocation was not new as they had been engaging the small businesses through their association to discuss how best they could organize themselves and do business better.

“We are not introducing new changes as we are implementing what had been long discussed with the association. We had consultation meetings in September and December last year.” He noted.

Ms Seemule dismissed reports that small businesses were required to screen temperatures but encouraged to remove their belongings every end of business as the council regulations stipulates and they were allowed to carry on business between 0800 hours and 2000 hours. ends