Time running out for unregistered spaza shops

Gauteng Acting Premier, Lebogang Maile, says 500 businesses that were operating illegally in the province have been closed.

He was giving an update on the registration of spaza shops in the province as per the President’s November directive.

“Other issues of non-compliance include a lack of certificates of acceptability or comment from Environmental Health and non-payment of operating licenses that are obtained from municipalities. Businesses operating from unsafe premises and within a hazardous environment have also been closed for non-compliance,” he said.

He urged spaza shop owners to take up the opportunity given to them by government and register their businesses by the Friday deadline.

Maile revealed that more than 2 600 foreign nationals have so far applied to have their tuck shops registered, while over 13 600 South Africans have had their shops recorded.

The registration drive followed the outbreak of food borne illnesses in the country, which claimed the lives of more than 20 children in Gauteng alone.

They had all allegedly consumed snacks bought at foreign owned spaza shops when they fell ill.

Maile also reiterated the appeal for South Africans to refrain from registering tuck shops on behalf of foreign nationals.

Progress on Spaza Shop Registrations – GP

As of the 10th of December 2024, the number of spaza shops issued with registration forms stands at 13 616 , of which 1 916 (some of the applications are incomplete, missing critical supporting documents) have been returned. At present,… pic.twitter.com/nPJ7x3RVrT

— Lebogang Maile (@LebogangMaile1) December 11, 2024