BCM Facebook
The government is planning a crackdown on spaza shops in the aftermath of cases of food poisoning and fatalities in parts of the country among young learners who took ill after eating snacks and food bought from spaza shops.
The Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Nsthavheni, said among the other outcomes of a recent workshop on international migration, stakeholders also decided that there should be an audit of all spaza shops in villages and townships, with mechanisms to be put in place to register them with municipalities and traditional authorities.
She said the workshop was hosted by the Department of Home Affairs, with the participation of the Departments of Small Business Development, Cogta, and Human Settlements as well as mayors from Metros and District Municipalities.
Minister Ntshavheni said the workshop focussed on curbing the impact of illegal immigration, including the operation of spaza shops.
Another key outcome was the "introduction of the Omnibus bylaws" to address challenges relating to the enforcement of business bylaws by local and traditional authorities.
Last week the Eastern Cape Health Department reported that over 150 learners from several schools in parts of the province were admitted to hospitals and clinics for treatment after taking ill from apparently eating food and sweets bought from spaza shops.
Also Read: EC learners hospitalised with suspected food poisoning
Buffalo City Metro has, in the meantime, been conducting routine compliance operations across the City, closing down non-compliant shops and seizing expired food.
Several deaths of learners were reported in Gauteng.
"There will be immediate joint inspections of businesses, particularly spaza shops, by Labour, Health, Small Business Development, and Home Affairs offices to enforce compliance with applicable bylaws.
"An audit of spaza shops in villages and townships and mechanisms to register them by both municipalities and traditional leaders will be undertaken," Minister Ntshavheni said.
