Cape Town — Today (17 December) marks the final day for all spaza shops to be registered as spaza shop owners scramble to avoid their shops being closed down permanently.
In November, President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a 21-day ultimatum for all South African spaza shops, whether locally or foreign-owned, to register their shops. Today is the final day for registrations as shop owners try to get registered with their respective authorities.
According to EWN, Gauteng’s acting Premier Lebogang Maile said they faced numerous challenges during the registration process, including officials who were threatened not to help foreign nationals.
“There were minor problems and one of those was people who were threatening the officials, insisting that they must not register or rather not help foreign nationals. We have said before that there are the laws of the country and we stated that one of the requirements is if you are a foreign investor, there is a specific amount that you have to invest which is about R5 million or so,” Maile said.
Today marks the last day for spaza shop owners to register their businesses. This comes after the government issued a 21-day directive for the re-registration of spaza shops. Newzroom Afrika’s @SilethiweNdlovu has the latest on the registrations in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal.… pic.twitter.com/nZN0J76wdb
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 17, 2024
According to SABC News, The National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa (NITASA) said some spaza shop owners are pushing for the deadline to be extended to allow more time for traders to register their business. NITASA’s President Rosheda Muller says traders need more time.
“It is highly impossible, improbable for each and every food handler and spaza shop to be registered by today. Personal experience has seen that and we realize that it’s not an impossible task, but it is a task that requires more time. We must remember this tragedy got the country into a hyper mood and everybody is jumping around, but it is not as simple as that,” Muller said.
She added that some businesses face several challenges when it comes to registering their business.
“There has not been awareness and communication with the trader on the ground. If I am a foreign trader and I open up a business, I know I have to be registered, but it doesn’t happen like that. They are not registered, and they are not aware of the rules and regulations. So, we are now saying as NITASA, there needs to be much more awareness and upskilling of traders about food handling.” she added.
Muller added that many local governments are working through awareness and communication to assist local business owners to get their businesses registered. She also dismissed critics who have said extending the deadline could be seen as non-compliance.
The owners of the businesses have until 5 PM to register them or face closure.
[WATCH] The National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa has asked for an extension for the registration of food outlets, including tuck shops or so-called spaza shops. SABC News reporter Hasina Gori is in Soweto, following the story. pic.twitter.com/XcxIdPqPdD
— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 17, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
