By Lebohang Ndashe.
The City of Tshwane has received 4,109 applications to run spaza shops, Of these 1,879 applications came from foreign nationals.
Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile provided an update on spaza shop registrations on Sunday.
He revealed that 343 applications from foreign nationals are pending until the Department of Home Affairs has verified their immigration status.
“A total of 343 applications by foreign nationals have been processed and are awaiting confirmation from the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Revenue Service, while 20 have been approved,” said Maile.
This registration effort follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s mandate requiring all spaza shops to register after 23 deaths in Gauteng due to foodborne poisoning linked to spaza shop products.
The City of Johannesburg received 2,179 spaza shop applications, with 593 from foreign nationals.
“Several spaza shops owned by foreign nationals have already been approved, with eight shops receiving Certificates of Acceptability from the municipality,”
As the 28 February deadline approaches, Maile confirmed that 243 spaza shops and food handlers in Johannesburg had been shut down for failing to meet environmental health and safety standards.
“As of today, 7,802 inspections have been conducted in the City of Johannesburg, with 1,444 spaza shops and food-handling facilities found non-compliant, “he said.
He raised concerns about non-compliance among foreign nationals, citing issues with fraudulent or incorrect documentation.
“The Gauteng provincial government is working closely with the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Revenue Service, and law enforcement to ensure foreign nationals adhere to the country’s laws, which is a non-negotiable requirement, “Maile stated.
“We wish to give assurance that no foreign national who is in the country illegally will be allowed to conduct business in our province.”