Metro shuts down spaza shops in the north over health and hygiene violations
The spaza shops were found to be violating several municipality and food handling by-law conditions, including where the owner slept in the same place where food for customers were being prepared.
To ensure that local businesses are health and hygiene compliant, the metro closed down two spaza shops in the north of Pretoria over several violations on Tuesday.
The metro’s by-law operation teams were visiting shops and businesses in the north, where they came across the non-compliant shops in Winternest and Theresa Park.
The oversight visit entailed checking that operational licences were in order, and that municipal bylaws were adhered to, including regulations governing general hygiene requirements for food preparation and handling under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act 54 of 1972).
The operation was also meant to ensure that:
– Food was handled hygienically on the premises.
– Food and products were protected by the best practices against, spoilage, contamination, insects or dust.
– Shops or premises were clean, matched health standards and were well-ventilated.
“We have found irregularities, non-compliance and unhealthy environments where businesses are run and products are sold to our people,” said Mayor Cilliers Brink.
WATCH:
[WATCH] Our teams have closed one spaza shop in Theresa Park for poor hygiene. The owner sleeps in the same spaza shop along with the goods that are supposed to be sold to our people. @CityTshwane pic.twitter.com/yKKgr5pWmj
— Mayor Cilliers Brink (@tshwane_mayor) October 17, 2023
Brink was shocked by the conduct of a shop owner in Theresa Park.
“This is very disturbing, as the owner sleeps in the same spaza shop along with the goods supposed to be sold to our people.”
He said the shop was being shut down to protect the public.
“This is unhygienic, as the food is also being cooked in a filthy place that doesn’t meet the required standards.”
Brink said law and order as well as public safety was very important to the city.
“We have confiscated a few goods not stored correctly and some have expired. This is to ensure the safety of the communities.”
Brink said the spaza shop in Winternest was shut down over several violations of the act.
“The premise was also used for rental purposes, with several medicinal products sold on-site.”
Brink said these operations and raids would continue to ensure that all shops provide food that is safe for the public to consume.
He urged people to report any wrongdoing or non-compliant shops to the TMPD to avoid situations where people got sick due to expired, illegal or unsafe products.
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