Lesufi warns S Africans not to register spaza shops for foreigners

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has strongly condemned some South Africans who use their identities to held undocumented foreign nationals to register their spaza shops.

Spaza shop owners have 21-days starting on Friday last week to register their businesses to avoid closure.

Lesufi was addressing the media in Bramley, Johannesburg, on Wednesday.

The Gauteng government has assured that corrupt practices will not impact the spaza shop registration process as monitoring mechanisms are in place to continuously track progress.

Lesufi has pleaded with South Africans not to front for illegal and undocumented foreign spaza owners as this threaten efforts of growing the township economy.

“We want them to try their luck and I can assure you they will regret it and the systems that we have used to do registrations are watertight. We know what we are looking for, we know the data base that they are linked. You can’t claim you had a business in the three years when you go to South African Receiver of Revenue data base you’re not found.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Basic Education has issued a circular on incidents of food poisoning to serve as guideline for schools and vendors regarding food sales in schools.

“We have noted the SGBs and other information that have raised concerns on this matter. The executive council is open in having discussions and ensuring that we conclude this consultation processes so that we can be ready for the reopening of schools,” adds Lesufi.

On the subject of illegal mining, Lesufi says Gauteng has managed to close some of the mines that were not accounted for. He’s issued a stern warning to those who continue to engage in illegal mining.

“We still have soldiers that are assisting us to manage the issue of zama zamas. I must be honest from where we come from, we have managed to reduce substantially the number of zama zamas that felt as if they could do as they wish in our province, but we will attend to the issue of Carletonville as soon as possible.”

Lesufi says his department will continue to work around the clock to fight corruption and any illegal activities in the province.