MPs call for spaza shops regulation
MPs also want agencies such as State Security and the South African Revenue Services to collaborate and focus on the sector.
Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. Picture: Instagram
CAPE TOWN - Political parties in the National Assembly have called for urgent action to be taken to regulate foreign-owned spaza shops.
They also want agencies like State Security and the South African Revenue Services to collaborate and focus on the sector.
Members of Parliament (MPs) were debating an Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) motion on the need for urgent intervention to protect “vulnerable children from expired and poisonous foods" sold from these spaza shops.
READ: Traces of chemical used to kill insects found on food samples from 2 Naledi spaza shops - police
"The absence of consistent monitoring jeapordises public health and exposes communities to further tragedies," said Inkatha Freedom Party MP, Nhlanhla Hadebe.
READ: Lesufi joins call for regulation of spaza shops in Gauteng
Meanwhile, Small Business Development Minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams said the debate was “timely and necessary”.
"There is a need for decisive intervention to address expired and unsafe food and ensure compliance and health standards which is both urgent and critical," she added.