Soweto shop owner says non-compliant spaza shops hurting township economy
The inspectors from the National Consumer Commission (NCC) with Gauteng Health officials and police conducted day two of their blitz operations in Soweto.
Authorities conduct spaza shop inspections in Naledi, Soweto. Picture: EWN/ Jacques Nelles
JOHANNESBURG - A South African spaza shop owner in Soweto has cried foul, citing market saturation by undocumented foreign nationals.
On Tuesday, inspectors from the National Consumer Commission (NCC) with Gauteng Health officials and police conducted day two of their blitz operations in Soweto.
Targeting local businesses that might be selling hazardous food items, the inspections are the government's response to concerns over foods sold in non-compliant spaza shops across the country.
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Robert Maketa (78) has been running his business - which doubles as a Kota and spaza shop - for over 30 years.
Maketa said he has seen dozens of shops, which he claims are non-compliant, riddled with health hazards, and hurting the township economy come and go.
He welcomed the inspections but called for immediate action against those flouting regulations.
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"Their prices are cheaper than ours as South Africans because they make their own products sometimes from behind their toilets," said Maketa.
The inspections are set to continue in and around the community of Soweto over the next few weeks.