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A metro police officer stands outside a spaza shop during an operation,
As spaza shop registrations continue, compliance concerns have been at the epicentre. This follows numerous foodborne illness cases nationwide, including a tragic incident in Gauteng last year where 23 children died after consuming snacks bought from spaza shops.
During the last Gauteng Provincial government update, over 17 000 spaza shops have registered in the province.
Spaza shops and food handling outlet owners without registration documents had until the 28th of February to comply. Non-compliant shops would be shut until their registration process is complete and their documents are in order.
Businesses are expected to have their municipal registration and metro compliance certificates displayed where consumers and inspectors can see them.
A spaza shop owner, who has had her shop for 25 years and obtained a Certificate of Acceptance last year, says compliance is still a major issue that the government needs to tackle.
“I wouldn’t say I have seen a lot of because some customers are complaining to me like buying from other outlets, they complain about the compliances and expired food like not really complying as they should.”
Customers say they are satisfied with how the government and businesses are working together to provide a safer and healthier environment in their businesses.
“So you know one thing I love about this initiative of registering tuck shops is that they make sure that they train them, show them the right procedure of how to handle food, how to handle pressure and even when to check your stock.”
“I am happy if they are selling the correct and unexpired goods.”
However, there are a number of shop owners who still await for their certificate of acceptance of the provincial government.
One other spaza shop owner – says he still needs his certificate to allow him to fully operate. “The deadline finished on the 28 of February – we were in the line on the 28 to register we didn’t get in then in the queue, they gave us something a paper. We come on the 3rd they gave us this one.”
