FILE PHOTO OF A SPAZA SHOP CONTAINER
Despite extensive awareness campaigns and an extended national deadline, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has expressed deep concern over the low compliance rate of spaza shop registrations.
Friday, 28 February 2025, marked the final day for the mandatory registration of spaza shops, as per President Cyril Ramaphosa’s directive.
The metro said out of the approximately 1,637 spaza shops operating in the Bay, only 293, or 17.9%, have submitted complete and compliant applications.
It further said whilst 1,136 applications were received, a staggering 843 (74.2%) were incomplete, rendering them invalid.
Applicants were informed of the deficiencies but failed to correct them in time.
“We are extremely disappointed with the poor response,” MMC for public health, Tshonono Buyeye said.
“Since the President’s announcement and the deadline extension in December, we have gone all out to raise awareness, inspect shops, and guide owners on compliance.
“Now that the deadline has passed, we have no choice but to enforce the law.”
He said since October 2024, the municipality has been deploying multi-disciplinary teams consisting of metro police, Environmental Health officials, SAPS, Home Affairs, and Immigration Services to conduct compliance raids.
These teams have been actively inspecting businesses, issuing compliance notices, and advising owners on corrective measures, he said.
Buyeye said furthermore, public engagements were also held across the metro between November 2024 and to date to engage, empower Spaza owners and landlords with information on compliance measures and how to register their Spaza shops and businesses.
However, with the registration deadline now expired, enforcement efforts will be intensified, and unregistered businesses will face legal consequences.
He said of the 1,637 spaza shops in Nelson Mandela Bay, approximately 90% are owned by foreign nationals.
“To obtain registration, applicants must meet specific legal and health compliance standards, including verification of immigration status by the Department of Home Affairs, inspection of premises for adherence to health and zoning regulations, proof of food safety training for food handlers, pest control certification for the premises, fire safety compliance (particularly for businesses using gas), payment of processing fees, and submission of valid identification.”
MMC Buyeye reaffirmed that authorities will intensify enforcement efforts, urging those who were declined to rectify their applications and reapply.
“Our raids will continue. The law is now clear, and we will act decisively to restore order in this critical sector.
