WATCH: Spaza shops pleading for help to register their businesses
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has warned South Africans against registering spaza shops on behalf of foreigners who did not adhere to the legal requirements.
As part of government interventions in response to the rising cases of deadly food-borne illnesses in the country, President Cyril Ramaphosa recently ordered that all spaza shops and food-handling facilities reregister their businesses within 21 days.
The president said any shop not registered within the 21-day period and that does not meet all health standards will be closed.
In that, spaza shop operators whose businesses are located in informal settlements expressed that the order has caused economic uncertainty because they don’t meet some of the requirements for registering their businesses. These include zoning certificates, proof of ownership or permits to use their yards for running businesses.
One of the shop operators, Tamirat Gemede who hails from Ethiopia, pleaded with government to make some provision for those operating spaza shops and general dealers in the informal settlements.
Gemede said the 21-day deadline is not enough for operators, as the many processes to get all the approvals normally take months.
“I work here with my brother and we have people working for us. If this shop closes we are going to be left without work and money to survive. Also, the community will suffer because they will have to spend extra money for transport to buy the basic stuff they need daily.
“Please, government, help us. Give us more time.”
On the other hand, the city manager said the City of Ekurhuleni, like all other cities, will comply with the president’s directive that every spaza shop must be reregistered within 21 days.
She explained that about the registrations of businesses, the city has already prepared an item to be deliberated on in council where the administration will be presenting its new policy and strategies on the guidelines on how to assist whoever wants to invest in the city on the part of registration, licensing and the qualifying criteria that is being set.
The presentation also includes the regulations pertaining to safe food handling practices.
“The city is open to assist everyone to register their businesses regardless of their origin, as long as they meet the set requirements.”
Also Read: Gauteng Spaza shop re-registration plan unveiled
