Residents protest against foreign-owned spaza shops

Disgruntled community members of Ratanda barricaded the R549 (Vaaldam Road) on October 24.

The apparent reason is that the residents are not happy with foreign-owned spaza shops in the area.

According to Ratanda SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Moss Maluleke, the atmosphere between the residents and foreign-owned businesses has been tense since Sunday.

The SAPS could prevent looting and vandalism by the residents.

Some complaints are that children have fallen ill and others died due to expired food sold in the spaza shops.
The residents are demanding shops to shut down.

The SAPS were on the scene and monitored the situation.