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File: Closed Spaza shop
The National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa (NITASA) has expressed concern over the time allowed for spaza shops to register with government amid concerns about food contamination.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a raft of government interventions to regulate shops including spazas, following the recent spate of food borne illnesses and deaths.
Ramaphosa says spaza shops need to be registered within 21- days.
NITASA president Rosheda Muller explains: “I’ve listened to every single word our president has said, and those are good things that he wants to implement- but I do believe the time frames is really unrealistic. For example, if a spaza shop is registered, all that needs to happen is that the health inspector, or the municipal officials, need to go check up if the health conditions are in place and compliance is in place. It’s going to be impossible, it will probably take more than a year, for all of us to go stand in a queue.”
SA Spaza Shops | President Ramaphosa on govt interventions: Rosheda Muller weighs in
General Secretary of SADTU, Mugwena Maluleke, says a speedy government response to the scourge of food poisoning crisis in South Africa, could have prevented loss of lives.
Maluleke says he believes action will now be taken to address the matter.
“We welcome this bold stance by the President after a cabinet meeting though late. And we regret the loss of lives of our children in our schools. We however, believe there would be action taken now in order to ensure that children are protected in the food they eat, that there’s quality and it’s safe. What we have seen of late is that our parliament, our leaders they take long to respond to national issues, issues that impact of the lives and education of our children. When we started raising these issues they did not respond. We have lost more than 10 children.”
Analysis | Call for improved food safety standards – Mthokozisi Nkosi:
