Online registration portal for spaza shops to enhance compliance and public safety

The Tshwane metro has introduced an online registration portal for spaza shop owners in an effort to regulate the spaza shop sector and protect public health.

This initiative comes in response to a series of foodborne illness outbreaks linked to unsafe practices in informal trading and aims to streamline compliance processes while ensuring food safety standards are upheld.

The online portal provides a convenient way for spaza shops owners to register their businesses, making it easier for the metro to oversee operations and enforce regulations.

By shifting to a digital platform, the metro aims to improve transparency, accountability, and compliance with health and safety laws.

A spaza shop is only permitted to sell items of convenience, no alcohol. There’s a distinction in municipal laws on the definition of a spaza shop and shop. A shop has wider permitting grounds on the sale of products, eg: pharmacies and butcheries fall under this category.… pic.twitter.com/N3d2YJQJrB

— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) December 2, 2024

On 25 Nov we activated the Disaster Operations Centre (DOC) to coordinate a multi-sectoral response. Thus far, we have inspected over 400 spaza shops, issuing fines and shutting down non-compliant operations.

— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) December 2, 2024

Since activating the Disaster Operations Centre on November 25 to address food safety concerns, Tshwane has inspected over 400 spaza shops, issuing fines and shutting down non-compliant operations.

Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya emphasised that this is a part of a larger strategy to both regulate the sector and empower small business owners.

“Our goal is to protect residents by ensuring they have access to safe food while also supporting the informal traders who are vital to our township economy.

“The new online portal makes it easier for spaza shop owners to comply with regulations, and it enhances our ability to enforce health and safety standards,” said Moya.

It has become too common that we find fake barcodes marked on products. I tested the authenticity of the barcodes that are illegally created and placed on hundreds of ice-lollies destined for spaza shops across our city. #ReASpana @CityTshwane pic.twitter.com/bIlzfWxNIv

— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) November 29, 2024

While in Winterveld, we visited an illegal factory that manufactures ice-lollies that are popularly sold at spaza shops and consumed by our children. The entire manufacturing process of this plant violates health regulations, and dozens of by-laws. @CityTshwane pic.twitter.com/T7vSYdu3u3

— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) November 29, 2024

Moya said the metro has also proposed a new draft Informal Trading and Township Economy By-law, which is currently open for public consultation.

It introduces stricter licensing requirements, enforces health and safety standards, and outlines penalties for businesses that fail to comply.

Residents are encouraged to participate in the consultation process to help shape policies that reflect the needs of the community.

“The metro’s focus on balancing regulation with empowerment is evident in this new approach.

“By providing spaza shop owners with the tools to comply with health standards while simultaneously protecting public safety, we are creating a more resilient and inclusive economy.

“This initiative is expected to help formalise the sector and ensure that all residents have access to safe, healthy, and reliable food sources in their communities.”

We are at Pilditch Stadium for the Spaza Shops Imbizo. Hundreds of citizens have joined us to be informed on how to register for the operation of a spaza shop. We are on a deadline for registrations to take place by 15 December 2024. Registration is free. #ReASpana @CityTshwane pic.twitter.com/4E20RKrnnw

— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) December 2, 2024

All spaza shops and food-handling businesses have until Friday, December 13 to be registered with Tshwane.

Visit the Economic Development offices at either of the following during office hours:

– 3rd floor, Middestad Building, or
– 252 Thabo Sehume Street, Pretoria CBD.

The spaza shop registration process can be accessed online at https://opendata.tshwane.gov.za/Spazareg…/app-registration.

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