Rundu: The Rundu Town Council (RTC) on Monday closed 10 businesses that were not legally registered. This move comes as part of a broader effort to ensure compliance with business and safety standards across the town.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the RTC, in collaboration with the Namibian Police Force, the Customs and Excise division of NamRA, and the Ministry of Health and Social Services, initiated a joint operation to assess business compliance. The operation seeks to confirm that all businesses in Rundu are properly registered and adhering to legal regulations.

Tuwilika Hamukoto, Divisional Head of Public and Environmental Health at RTC, informed Nampa in an interview on Tuesday that the operation began on Monday and will continue until May 23, 2025. She reported that, of approximately 40 businesses visited, 10 were shut down due to the absence of essential certificates, including a fitness certificate and a business registration certificate.

The businesses, which include mini markets, retailers, and shebeens, were sealed by law enforcement officers and instructed to register at the RTC offices. Additionally, some businesses received notices for operating in unhygienic conditions.

Hamukoto emphasized that the operation also involves community education on compliance with laws and regulations, as well as inspections for counterfeit and illicit products. Expired items and illegal cigarettes were confiscated during the operation.

She noted that there has been no resistance from the community and clarified that the initiative is not punitive but aims to ensure that businesses operate legally and correctly.