The government has urged all spaza shop owners and vendors to register their businesses with their local municipality by the end of the week.

“Spaza shops must be registered to ensure that food safety laws are followed, and dangerous goods are taken off the market, keeping children safe and preventing future outbreaks,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said.

Owners have until Friday to register their businesses.

Application forms for registration or permits to conduct business can be accessed physically at municipal offices or on the municipality’s website.

The registration process takes one day, and business owners are advised not to wait until the last day to register.

“Citizens are reminded that registering a spaza shop on behalf of another person is a criminal offence. The Immigration Act of 2002 clearly states that it is a criminal offence to assist an illegal foreigner to conduct any business in the country and to assist an illegal foreigner to obtain a licence to conduct any business,” GCIS said.

For guidelines on spaza shop registrations, visit: https://www.sanews.gov.za/features-south-africa/guide-register-spaza-shops.

Last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa extended the registration deadline for all spaza shops and food handling outlets after initially announcing the directive in November 2024.

The extension followed a serious foodborne illness outbreak, which resulted in over 890 cases and nearly 30 deaths since September 2024.

In October, six primary school children from Naledi, Soweto, died after eating snacks, allegedly from a foreign-owned local spaza shop. – SAnews.gov.za

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