KZN Premier concerned about spazas not complying with the by-laws

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli says he is concerned about the high number of spaza shops that are still not complying with the by-laws to operate in the province.

Ntuli spoke on the progress made by the provincial government in its response to the nationwide food borne illness crisis. This comes after the death of at least 22 children across the country, after consuming food believed to be contaminated that they had allegedly bought from spaza shops.

Ntuli says about 99 spaza shops have been closed in the province due to non-compliance.

“Due to a high number of non-compliant business in KwaZulu-Natal, the province is now carrying out inspections on a regular basis. So far, since the start of November 2024, we have inspected 249 businesses. The number is sitting at actually more than 300 hundred in KZN. As the premier of the province, I have been in the forefront of these operations which has led to the confiscation of goods valued at more than 30 million, and the arrest of several undocumented immigrants. We’ve found many to be trading without valid business licenses and no permits,” says Ntuli.

Plans to audit spaza shops in KZN are in the pipeline