Illegal spaza shops ‘still proliferate’ despite warnings

The Forum for South Africa is accusing government of failing to close illegal spaza shops which are “continuing” to put children’s lives in danger.

The forum was reacting to a recent incident in which an eight-year-old boy from Mapetla in Soweto was hospitalised for food poisoning after he reportedly ate snacks bought from a spaza shop.

Forum leader Tebogo Mashilompane said his organisation may take legal action against the department of small business development.

Forum may sue over illegal spaza shops

“We met our legal advisors and agreed that a letter of intent will be sent to the government with questions to answer. These will include why we still have illegal spaza shops operating? What are the challenges in closing the illegal spaza shops?

“Why is the minister reactive instead of proactive? Is the minister intending to close the illegal spazas and when? Then we will have answers. If not satisfied, we will immediately make an application to the High Court in Pretoria,” said Mashilompane.

“We also need to know why illegal immigrants still operate the shops and they are not being arrested.

ALSO READ: Government’s R500m spaza shop support fund gets thumbs up

“In Gauteng there are around 4 000 approved spaza shops. The rest are not approved but they are still operating.”

Last year, 23 children died of poisoning after allegedly consuming food from spaza shops. In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that all spazas must be registered and monitored and that illegal spaza shops will be shut down.

A resident of Protea Glen in Soweto said: “I don’t think that all the shops that are operating are complying with the law. Our government is not serious about fighting this problem.”

No time for finger-pointing

John Dludlu, CEO of the Small Business Institute, said: “This is no time for finger-pointing. This is a time to collaborate in improving compliance and stopping these avoidable deaths of kids.

“The government alone cannot do this effectively. It needs spaza owners and business associations to join this partnership. The fund and registration effort are just a start.”

Nozibusiso Khambule from the March in March Movement said: “The idea worked in theory but is impractical.

ALSO READ: Over 30K spaza shop applications were from foreign nationals

“It does not have any sections to enforce good business standards, making it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and enforce.”