The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade has temporarily suspended several critical public services following a fire that broke out at its premises during the early hours of the morning.
According to a press statement released by the Ministry, the suspension was necessitated by the incident, which prompted emergency response teams to rush to the scene. The affected services include trading licences, liquor licences, and company registration services.
Members of the public have been advised not to visit the Ministry offices for these services until further notice, as assessments continue to determine the extent of the damage. Principal Secretary Ambassador Melusi Masuku confirmed that the Ministry is working closely with the Fire Department and other relevant authorities following the incident.
“The Ministry regrets to inform members of the public that a fire incident occurred at the Ministry premises during the early hours of today,” said Masuku.
He explained that emergency personnel responded swiftly to contain the situation and ensure safety at the premises while investigations and technical assessments are underway.
“As a result of the incident, members of the public are kindly requested to temporarily hold off on visiting the Ministry for services relating to trading licences, liquor licences, and company registration until further notice,” he said.
The Ministry has not yet revealed the exact cause of the fire or the level of damage sustained. However, officials indicated that a detailed assessment report from the Fire Department is being compiled and will guide the next course of action regarding the restoration of services and possible temporary arrangements.
Masuku said the Ministry understands the inconvenience the suspension may cause to businesses and entrepreneurs who rely on the affected services daily.
“The Ministry sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience caused and appreciates the public’s patience and understanding during this time. Updates will be provided once the full assessment report is received,” he added.
The suspension is expected to impact business owners seeking licence renewals, liquor licence applications, and company registrations, especially those with urgent deadlines. Authorities have assured the public that restoring operations remains a priority once safety assessments are completed. Further updates on the reopening of services are expected to be communicated in due course.