By Delicious Mathuthu
The South African government has launched a crackdown on Spaza Shops, giving them a three week ultimatum to formalise their operations or risk being shut down amid growing concerns over food safety in the country.
Spaza shops are small informal and unlicensed convenience stores found especially in townships and rural areas mostly run from homes.
Announcing a series of new measures against the informal traders on Monday 18 November 2024, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said all Spaza shops should be licensed under their Municipalities within 21 days.
“All spaza shops and other food handling facilities must be registered in Municipalities where they operate within 21 days.
“A shop that is not registered within 21 days and does not meet all health standards, will be
closed,” President Ramaphosa said.
This follows reports of cases of food poisoning deaths, with investigators reporting improper storage of food items along pesticides in some the shops, including banned substances such as Aldicarb (a toxic insecticide).
He said all such shops linked to poisoning deaths of children will be immediately shut down.
“Non-compliant businesses and shops linked to any poisoning incidents or found to unlawfully stock
hazardous chemicals will be shut down,” President Ramaphosa said.
He said month-long initial phase compliance inspections by a hybrid team of experts will be done to enforce the measures.
The inspections will encompass all food supply chain traders, including door to door operations.
“Integrated multidisciplinary inspection teams will undertake compliance inspections of food handling facilities, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers, including spaza shops and general dealers,” the South African Government said.
“A massive campaign of door-to-door inspection of all spaza shops, tuck shops and other informal traders will be undertaken, starting with Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
“The initial phase of inspections should be
completed within a month.”
Offenders will be investigated and arrested by the police and other law enforcement agencies, President Ramaphosa added.
Spaza shops usually operate from a person’s home or a small, informal structure, and they sell a variety of basic goods including food, beverages, basic household essentials, personal care products, airtime and data vouchers for mobile phones, among other products.
Apart from the health concerns, they play a vital role in many South African communities, particularly in areas where access to formal retail stores is limited.
They provide essential goods and services to locals, often at competitive prices, and somehow contribute to the local economy.
