Sakeliga launched this urgent court application in May 2020 to set aside Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade and Industry,’s requirement that businesses wishing to remain open during the so-called lockdown must obtain an “essential service” certificate from the CIPC. Patel’s certificates, and their incorporation into disaster management regulations, have exposed thousands of businesses and sole proprietorships not registered with the CIPC to prosecution and harassment by the police for so-called disregard of lockdown regulations.

Sakeliga won this case with costs, with the result that businesses were no longer exposed to prosecution and harassment if they did not have a CIPC “essential services” certificate in their possession.