Police clamp down on spaza shops
Public warned of the dangers of buying counterfeit and expired food products.
Fifteen spaza shops in Brakpan were closed by authorities during a law enforcement operation held last Thursday.
Brakpan police collaborated with various stakeholders for the operation, aimed at ensuring spaza shops and liquor outlets comply with the law.
The Department of Environmental Health provided a brief presentation to law enforcers about food safety and expiry dates so they had a clear understanding about what to look out for and which questions to ask shop owners and their employees.
“During the operation, 25 spaza shops were visited, 15 of which were closed and some food items were removed from shelves,” said Brakpan SAPS Sector 1 manager and communications officer, Constable Audrey Buthelezi.
“Eighty people were searched and three people were arrested for illegal immigration. Three taverns were visited and one was closed. One owner was arrested for contravening the Gauteng Liquor Act, which prohibits selling liquor without a liquor licence.”
Buthelezi stated local SAPS will ensure every spaza shop in the Brakpan policing jurisdiction complies with and adheres to health and food safety laws to prevent food poisoning cases.
“Some community members complained about the closure of spaza shops near them, stating that other shops are too far, but they were told about the health dangers and that it is done in their interest.” she added.
Confiscated food was discarded in a waste truck and destroyed by the environmental health department.
Concerns about spaza shops have recently escalated after a spate of food poisoning incidents, mostly involving children who consumed contaminated or expired food bought from spaza shops.
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The City of Ekurhuleni has also warned the public to be cautious of possible health dangers of buying counterfeit and expired food products.
The city’s environmental health practitioners have intensified food hygiene and safety inspections at food handling premises to stop the practice. The city encourages the public to buy foodstuffs only sold from premises that have a Certificate of Acceptability.
This certificate is only issued after inspections are conducted and the premises meets all food safety requirements.
It is displayed in the shop for all to see or produced on demand if not displayed.
Brakpan residents may lodge their complaints regarding the selling of unsound and unsatisfactory food products to the Brakpan environmental health office on 011 999 8148.
