Recently more than ten spaza shops were inspected in Nkowankowa for compliance by the South African First Concerned Group (SAFCG), the police, the Department of Home Affairs, and other stakeholders. During the inspection, expired food, including fruit and vegetables, was found on the shelves of spaza shops.

“A number of the shops were selling expired soft drinks and snacks that are mostly sold to children. “There were a lot of unbranded food items, such as ice pops, which we strongly discourage residents from buying,” said Happy Mathye from SAFCG. During the operation, two foreign nationals were arrested for not having legal documentation to be in the country.

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Mathye said that they do not necessarily want to close the shops, but they want the shop owners to sell items that are suitable for human consumption. “Fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables must be left for locals to sell,” he said.  All the expired food were destroyed.

The MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), Rodgers Monama, has started a similar campaign in parts of the province. According to Monama, the intention is to put the economy back into the hands of local citizens and create a safe, healthy, and beneficial environment.