VANDERBIJLPARK – Angry spaza shop owners on November 26 took to spaza shop registration points in an attempt to block foreign nationals from being part of the process.
Joining arms to make noise on their clarion call that the local economy is for locals, business owners from Boipatong, Sharpeville, and Bophelong stormed the Vanderbijlpark Library to shut down the registration process.
Spaza shops have become a focal point of national discussion after recent food poisoning episodes linked to products sold by informal traders.
More than 20 children have tragically lost their lives, and hundreds more have been hospitalised after consuming food from spaza shops.
Following the series of incidents, President Cyril Ramaphosa has since launched an effort to regulate businesses, emphasising the safety and compliance of spaza shops, especially those owned by foreign nationals.
Amid the business registration chaos, several businessmen were gunned down in the Vaal following the battle between foreign nationals and the local business community in an attempt to reclaim their economy.
In Sharpeville Kasie corner owner Patrick Mokhema was gunned down during riots between locals and foreign shop owners.
Bophelong also witnessed a similar incident when a vocal community leader and businessman, Thabiso Maphike was shot and killed outside his shop last month.
Speaking to Ster anonymously due to fear of being targeted, one of the spaza shop owners from Bophelong and a part of the Tuka Organisation, explained the reason behind the movement.
“Township economy is reserved for South African citizens. We heard the president, but we are tired of being ignored. We have a simple request to the president and the municipality: township businesses should be reserved for residents and blood of the same townships,” he said.
“Last year, residents of Bophelong took over the township economy, but since then the government has never come to the party, till today, ” he said.
Following the action, the municipality has since suspended physical registrations in the region.
ELM spokesperson Makhosonke Sangweni said: “The Emfuleni Local Municipality will suspend all physical registrations of Spaza shops and other food handling facilities. Those affected are advised to download registration forms on the municipality website.”
