VANDERBIJLPARK – The Emfuleni Local Municipality has revealed a shocking spaza shop registration scandal involving fake business permits.
According to the municipality, its registration of spaza shops has been thrown into disarray as many foreign-run shops operate with bogus approvals.
This was uncovered during a recent registration and compliance task team meeting in January, revealing fraudulent compliance documents being used by business operators.
In a statement issued by ELM’s acting communication manager, Anita Sehlabo, investigations are in full swing, and the findings so far point to serious malpractice within the system.
“The municipality is currently conducting extensive investigations and thus far, discovered that some of the applications have been processed without authority. The municipality is suspicious of malpractice in the registration process and if officials are involved, consequence management will be duly instituted against perpetrators,” she said.
With the municipality taking a zero-tolerance stance on corruption, Sehlabo said consequences will be dire for those implicated.
“Disciplinary steps against offenders will be instituted in line with the South African Local Government Bargaining Council’s Disciplinary Procedure and Code of Collective Agreement. Spaza shop operators who took part in this malicious compliance activity will be stripped of their bogus permits and face the full might of the law,” she said.
As Emfuleni drew a line in the sand, Sehlabo said the final deadline was February 28, however, those who are still looking to register must visit the Tourism offices in Vanderbijlpark.
“Business operators are encouraged to visit our Tourism Office or send an e-mail to MmatsepoM@emfuleni.gov.za for further inquiries. The municipality would like to caution aspiring and existing spaza shop operators that legitimate permits will only be issued from the ELM Tourism Office. Furthermore, business operators are requested to refrain from engaging in illegal activities,” she said.
