OPERATIONS are well underway to enforce by-laws and rid eThekwini of dangerous food items in a massive crackdown on spaza shops and street vendors that are allegedly selling expired goods to unsuspecting consumers.

The multidisciplinary action involving Durban Metro Police and various departments within the eThekwini Municipality was prompted by the hospitalisation of 890 people and the death of 22, mainly children, across South Africa. The victims had allegedly consumed contaminated food products that were bought from spaza shops.

Municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said the Council approved the implementation of a strategic intervention to assist and empower local tuckshop owners in eThekwini Municipality in September.

Also Read: By-laws coming in to regulate spaza shops in KwaZulu-Natal

She said, “The municipality is currently conducting tuckshop inspections throughout the City to issue notices for non-compliance with health regulations. The inspections are conducted by a multidisciplinary team which includes Durban Metro Police, SAPS, the Fire and Emergency Unit and Business Licensing.”

According to metro police, during an operation conducted at the Durban CBD, a supermarket at 87 Margaret Mncadi Avenue was inspected and found to be in serious violation of health and safety standards.

“Expired goods, including packs of nappies, were being sold at the shop as well as compromised food items in rusted tin cans. The store was operating illegally, and the premises were unsanitary and unfit for operation. The expired and unsafe goods were removed and disposed of in a compactor truck. The store has been closed due to non-compliance with by-laws. We urge all businesses to comply with legal requirements and ensure public safety,” said Metro Police.

Meanwhile, the City is on a drive to ensure the safety of residents by enforcing by-laws to regulate spaza shops. Sisilana said that business owners need to also apply for the Certificate of Acceptability (COA), a food business permit that is issued to govern general hygiene requirements for food premises, the transport of food and related matters.

“This certificate is for those who intend to store, distribute, prepare, transport or sell foodstuff intended for public consumption. The COA can be obtained from the City’s website or by calling the City’s health unit on 031 311 3555,” she added.

Anyone who wishes to open an accommodation or entertainment establishment or a food outlet within eThekwini has to register with the City’s Business Licensing Unit. For more information, tuckshop owners can contact the Business Licensing Unit on 031 311 4535 or visit the 7th floor, Embassy Building, 199 Anton Lembede Street in the Durban CBD.

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