Over 17,000 Gauteng spaza shops register, but thousands non-compliant

Cape Town – Gauteng MEC Lebogang Maile has announced that 17,617 spaza shops registered during the province’s registration drive, which ended on 28 February.

“As of the 28th of February, 2025, the total number of applications for the registration by spaza shops and food handling facilities across the Gauteng province is 17 617. This includes 7 107 applications by foreign nationals across all municipalities, with the city of Johannesburg having the highest number of applications,” said Maile.

“The City of Ekurhuleni has the highest number of applications by foreign nationals, with a total of 2543 applications received. Applications are approved following inspections. A total of 29 116 inspections have been conducted thus far.”

[WATCH] Gauteng’s Finance and Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile, has announced that the province has received over 17,000 registration applications for spaza shops and food outlet businesses. Maile says just over 7,000 were received from foreign nationals across all… pic.twitter.com/9a7TIFpEpJ

— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 2, 2025

However, 15,478 businesses were found non-compliant, with 498 shut down immediately.

“A total of 15 478 spaza shops and food-handling facilities have been deemed non-compliant, with 498 of these closed with immediate effect,” Maile said.