Tshwane metro is calling on community members across the city’s seven regions to be vigilant and report any suspicious businesses, and food outlets that are not compliant with its health, fire safety and town planning regulations.

Spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said more so, spaza shops.

Last year, the national government gave spaza shops and food-handling facilities 21 days to register with their respective municipality to ensure compliance with by-laws.

The registration deadline was later extended from December 17, 2024, to February 28, 2024, by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

Mashigo said this prompted the city to develop a revised registration roll-out plan, which is continuing to be implemented in all seven regions, in line with the new registration window period.

“As of January 6, a total of 4 055 businesses operating within the jurisdiction of the Tshwane had registered.”

Mashigo said it must be emphasised that once the registration window closes, the city will enforce by-laws against those spaza shops and food handling outlets which are non-compliant.

“The enforcement includes confiscation of goods, issuing of a fine and/or closure of the business.”

It is for this reason we encourage consumers to actively participate in preventing noncompliant outlets from operating within their communities.”

Residents can report such businesses by sending an email to spazashopscontraventions@tshwane.gov.za or by calling 012 358 8865.

Mashigo said consumers should take note that it is expected of all businesses to display their trade licences or permits within the premises.

“The city will only issue these documents to businesses/spaza shops and food handling outlets if they comply with the municipal health, fire safety and town planning regulations.”

He added that the municipality is still urging all spaza shop owners within Tshwane, who have not yet registered their businesses, to visit its offices or log in to the city’s website www.tshwane.gov.za and e-services, to register their business.

Applicants are reminded to bring the following documents to register their business:

– Zoning certificate

– ID/home affairs documents (certified)

– CIPC (companies and intellectual property commission) registration of business documents or an affidavit if a person is a sole proprietor

– Copy of lease agreement/title deed

– Copy of proof of residence

– Affidavit and certified ID copy of stand/erf owner even if the business is not in the control of the stand/erf owner

– Menu in case of a restaurant (cafe keeper)

– Tax clearance certificate – (SARS documents)

Mashigo said it must be emphasised that the owners must go through the registration process as it will assist them to comply with all health regulations and municipal by-laws related to conducting business.

This will in turn allow them to obtain a licence or permit to trade.

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

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