A business owner in Diepkloof Zone 6 has raised concerns about the impact of ongoing protest action linked to illegal immigration on small traders.

Nokukhanya Mphili said the unrest has disrupted her ability to restock her spaza shop, as several Indian-owned wholesale businesses she relies on in the Bara area have been forced to close.

She said this has directly affected her income and daily operations, creating financial strain because she cannot access essential goods to keep her business running.

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Mphili questioned the approach to the protests.

“I personally don’t think every shop owner or foreign national should leave South Africa,” Mphili said.

She added that enforcement should be more targeted and focus only on undocumented foreign nationals.

“Maybe the March and March Movement can focus on the ones who are not documented only. I personally have a good working relationship with the Indians that I stock with and have not encountered any problems.”

Mphili said she has built strong working relationships with foreign-owned businesses since starting her shop a year ago, adding that they have been cooperative and responsive whenever issues with stock arise.

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She said product-related problems are usually resolved without conflict.

“If I see that there’s something wrong with their products, I was able to inform them, and we would find a solution to replace the items without any hassle.”

Despite the challenges, Mphili said her shop has remained open while others in the area have closed, increasing her visibility and bringing in more customers.

However, she believes collaboration between South African spaza shop owners and legally documented foreign-owned businesses remains important to sustaining local trade.