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Guide: How to register your spaza shop online

The Tshwane metro has launched an online registration portal for spaza shops and food-handling businesses, making it easier for business owners to comply with municipal regulations.

November 28, 2024
Pamela Vuba 4 minutes read
A Tshwane metro police officer inspecting the papers of a business. Photo: X/@CityTshwane.

Spaza shop owners in Tshwane can now access business registration services online.

The clock is ticking for food-handling businesses to ensure they are compliant after the call made by President Cyril Ramaphosa for spaza owners and vendors to register with their respective municipalities within 21 days.

Ramaphosa addressed the nation on November 15.

“All spaza shops and other food handling facilities must be registered within the municipalities in which they operate within 21 days from today [November 15]. Any shop that is not registered within [that time] and does not meet all health standards and requirements will be closed,” he warned.

Ramaphosa said the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies will investigate, arrest and prosecute offenders. “This will involve close co-operation with all registered manufacturers and suppliers.

“Integrated multidisciplinary inspection teams will undertake compliance inspections of food handling facilities, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers. This will include spaza shops and general dealers.

“Non-compliant businesses and shops linked to any poisoning incidents or found to unlawfully stock hazardous chemicals will be shut down,” he warned.

TMPD Chief of Police, Yolanda Faro conducts by-law enforcement in Hammanskraal this month. Photo: X/@CityTshwane.

In Tshwane, the metro has launched an online registration portal for spaza shops, vendor owners and other food-handling businesses.

Business owners can visit opendata.tshwane.gov.za/Spazaregister/ to register.

Tshwane has stressed that business owners will need to provide the following documents for registration:

– Appropriate zoning

– Certified residence of South African ID/non-South Africans with Home Affairs documents

– Registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)

– Copy of title deed/lease agreement/proof of residence/affidavit or a certified ID Copy of the Stand/Erf Number if Residential 5

– Banking confirmation letter

– Menu in case of a restaurant

– Tax clearance certificate (SARS) documents

– Certificate of acceptability (COA) from Municipal Health Services

– Fire safety compliance certificate.

Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said business owners can register online from the comfort of their homes or businesses, without incurring travel costs to registration centres.

He added that assistance is also available at municipal offices across all seven regions of Tshwane.

“For technical difficulties or questions, business owners can call 012 358 4490, visit the Middestad Municipal Offices or email SpazaReg@tshwane.gov.za.”

Mashigo said the online registration process aims to streamline compliance and reduce waiting times.

However, business owners who fail to register may face consequences, including confiscation of goods, fines, and closure of businesses.

Other details that must be included in the application for a trading permit are:

– ID number of the business owner;
– physical and postal address of the business concerned;
– the location where the business will be operated;
– description of the goods or services that the business will be selling or providing to the community;
– citizenship status of the applicants and the passport number, Section 22 asylum seeker permit, Section 24 refugee permit, and a valid visa allowing foreign nationals to be in the country to work or conduct business.
– An affidavit stating that the business owner is not engaged in the trade of illegal goods, as defined in this by-law and that the business will operate according to the applicable norms and standards.

The municipality may conduct background checks on applicants, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, to verify the legality of their business activities.

After the application has satisfied all the conditions stated by the municipality, the business owner will be issued a registration card or permit that must be always displayed and be available for inspection.

Reporting illegal business practices:

Residents can expect a complaints procedure that can be used soon to report illegal business practices by business establishments.

This procedure will include details about the appeals process for application.

According to the Immigration Act of 2002, it is a criminal offence to assist or enable an illegal foreigner to conduct any business in the Republic of South Africa.

It is also a criminal offence to assist an illegal foreigner in obtaining a licence for him/her to conduct any business.

Mashigo said, “Consequences for non-compliance include confiscation of goods, issuing of fines in terms of Tshwane’s Street Trading By-Law, and closure of businesses”.

He said that Tshwane metro police, in partnership with SAPS, Home Affairs, SARS, the Municipal Health Service, and Building Control, will embark on joint by-law enforcement operations.

Mashigo added that business owners who have a challenge of language, literacy level, or technological proficiency, can be assisted to apply online.

“The metro has taken necessary steps to protect personal and business information of the applicants.

“Only limited authorised personnel have access to the data.”

Mashigo said the metro has assigned officials to monitor and evaluate the online registration process on a daily basis.

“The measure of its success is mass registration in all regions of Tshwane and response numbers in terms of applications and compliance.”

The metro has also activated its disaster operations centre in response to the increase in foodborne illnesses linked to unsafe food-handling practices and contamination at spaza shops and informal food outlets.

According to mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya, this activation is part of a national call to action to protect public health and prevent further tragedies.

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

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At Caxton, every story is written by humans. We use AI only to perform quality checks - never to generate the news. Happy reading!
November 28, 2024
Pamela Vuba 4 minutes read

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