ATM calls for closure of all spaza shops

A police officer is pictured inside a spaza shop during a compliance visit.

3 minutes

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) is calling for government to close all spaza shops and revitalise the citizen-run township economy to ensure economic stability and security.

The party says in light of the recent declaration of a national disaster due to the alarming rise in foodborne illnesses, it asserts the urgent need for decisive action to protect the health and welfare of communities.

The party’s national spokesperson Zama Ntshona says: “We are dealing with a situation that is hazardous to the wellbeing of the majority of South Africans who live in townships and in rural areas. And if we are not going to take stock for a moment of what is in circulation, we are going to find ourselves with a bigger problem of a society that is sick.”

“So this may need us for a moment to pause and through the call that we’ve made of a massive joint operation dealing with the eradication of such hazardous material within our society before we move forward,” adds Ntshona.

PODCAST | ATM calls for closure of all spaza shops:

Meanwhile, owners of food outlets, including spaza shops, have been given until December 13 to register their businesses with municipalities or face closure.

At least 20 children have died of suspected food poisoning, while hundreds of others were admitted to hospital.

In a recent incident in Gauteng, an 8-year-old Grade 2 learner from Thabisile Primary School in Diepkloof in Soweto died in hospital on Friday.

She fell ill on Wednesday after allegedly consuming biscuits from a local spaza shop.

MEC CHILOANE SADDENED BY PASSING OF GRADE 2 LEARNER FROM THABISILE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Gauteng Education MEC, @matomekopano, is deeply saddened by the untimely passing of an 8-year-old Grade 2 learner from Thabisile Primary School in Diepkloof, Soweto, on Friday, 22 November 2024.… pic.twitter.com/WAeMr6zDnv

— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) November 24, 2024

Gauteng Education Department Spokesperson Steve Mabona says an investigation is underway.

“Her condition reportedly worsened over the course of the next two days, and she was taken to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital on Friday, where she was tragically declared deceased. At this stage, the exact cause of her passing remains unclear. The relevant authorities are conducting investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.”

This comes as 5-year-old Siyabonga Mnisi, also from Diepkloof, was laid to rest yesterday.

Mnisi fell ill after allegedly eating snacks he bought from a local spaza shop.