WATCH | ANC announce more than 50 000 spaza shops have been registered

Spaza Shops

Cape Town — African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, said that more than 50 000 spaza shop owners have submitted applications to register their spaza shops.

Speaking to the media, Mbalula explained that a total of 51 788 spaza shops have submitted official applications to be registered after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that all spaza shops need to be registered within 21 days of his announcement on 15 November.

During a media briefing on Friday, Mbalula said that 45% of the registrations received were from 45% of the registered applications that have come from Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN), with 93% of the shops being foreign-owned, The Citizen reported.

According to Mbalula, the government is exploring legislation to reserve small businesses, including spaza shops, exclusively for South Africans.

“We have mandated our government, going forward, that we must preserve spaza shops and small businesses for South Africans. Government must explore in terms of the law of the country that this is implemented within a reasonable space of time,” said Mbalula.

The Department of Small Business Development and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition are going to launch a fund to support South African-owned shops and the two departments set aside R500 million for the fund.

Mbalula warned against immigrants and South Africans working together to register spaza shops, saying they would face dire consequences. He added that the application process to register the shops is only the first step, and after the 21 days, the government needed to assess whether all applicants meet the requirements.

Those who do not, will not be able to register their business.

According to the MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning in the City of Tshwane, Sarah Mabotsa said foreigners who fail to meet the requirements will create business opportunities for South Africans.

“With this one, we’re not going to be apologetic about it. We will check the requirements and whoever meets them is all good. For those who don’t qualify, we will give their opportunities to South Africans,” she said.

According to TimesLIVE, Mbalula said the December 13 deadline for spaza shops is approaching quickly and that those spaza shops that do not comply will face consequences as per the president’s grace period, should either cease operations or face the law as children can no longer die.

He said the time has now come to enforce compliance more rigorously.

“We must not falter in ensuring that the laws of the country are fully implemented. This includes ensuring that no illegal immigrants are allowed to operate tuck shops. Those who are legally in the country must prove investment in the business of over R5m as required by law,” he said.

Mbalula said the government remained committed to reclaiming the township economy through spaza shops and called on the government to employ additional inspectors to monitor the sector and ensure that it serves its intended purpose. He also ensured that immigrants in South Africa were welcomed but warned not to exploit South African laws.

“South Africa is not a playground for lawlessness. Anyone who undermines our legal system or compromises the safety and economic opportunities of South Africans will face the full might of the law,” he said.

“This includes immigrants who engage in criminal activities and South Africans who enable this criminality by illegally registering businesses or aiding criminal behaviour, zama zamas, drug peddlers and drug laboratories and illegal immigrants,” he added.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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