Question NW709 to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
25 May 2020 - NW709
Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
What are the criteria by which the Company and Intellectual Property Commission allowed Uzalo to continue shooting follow-up episodes during the lockdown period to prevent the spread of COVID-19, while blocking others from doing the same? [
Reply:
The CIPC is not empowered to authorize companies to operate during the lockdown period. It provided a service to companies registered under the Companies Act, to lodge their details as an essential service during the lockdown, based on self-declaration.
A certificate was issued to companies which registered, which enables easier identification of companies whose management believes they are services permitted to operate during periods when the Regulations issued under the Disaster Management Act limited such types of services.
The CIPC websites and certificates were required to state that registration (and possession of the certificate) does not constitute proof of compliance with the Regulations, but was simply proof that the management believed they comply with Regulations as set out above.
Some false or incorrect declarations were made and when these were brought to the attention of the CIPC, the certificates were rescinded.
I am advised that in the matter of Uzalo, the certificate was revoked on 3 May 2020.
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