On 16 April 2020 the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Tradition Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma declared that hardware, components and supplies may be sold to qualified tradespersons, but only for the purpose of emergency repairs at residential homes, or to any entity engaged in the provision of essential services for any project related to the provision of water, electricity or other essential services. This was published in Government Gazette Nr. 43232.
Vehicle components may also be sold, but only if it is required for emergency repairs and if the vehicle is used by a person engaged in essential services work.
Any business selling these hardware products or vehicle components must maintain a register of the persons buying the items. They buyer must also sign a declaration to state that the goods being bought are essential goods, as described in the regulations. The business must keep a record of these signed declarations.
Consequently, all the trades necessary for rendering these emergency repair work including automobile repairs, plumbers, electricians, locksmiths, glaziers and roof repair work, have been added to the list of essential services.
