Operation Dudula launches pilot project in Soweto to empower locals as spaza shop owners

JOHANNESBURG - Controversial organisation Operation Dudula is launching a pilot project in Naledi, Soweto, to grow the township economy by providing locals with the resources to open and operate spaza shops.

This follows recent allegations that six children died after consuming snacks from a spaza shop - believed to have been contaminated with poison.

However, during a briefing by the Health Minister on Monday, the spaza shop in question was cleared, after tests of the goods confiscated showed no signs of toxins.

ALSO READ: Joburg’s Public Safety directorate says township economy needs urgent reforms

Operation Dudula is preparing to launch a pilot project in Naledi, Soweto, called TIDE - Together in Defence of Township Economy.

The movement's leader, Zandile Dabula, says this is to allow locals to start and grow their businesses.

"As TIDE, we are going to make sure that whilst assisting our own South Africans in opening their own businesses, we are also going to make sure they do comply, and we do have inspectors that will make rounds every now and then to make sure they do comply."

She says recent inspections conducted by health officials on foreign-owned spaza shops following the deaths of six children in Naledi, was a reactive attempt to correct the government’s shortfalls.

"Our government needs to be held accountable because we do have bylaws, we do have inspectors who are supposed to be inspecting these stores but they are not doing so."

She says the identified recipients of the first spaza shops in Naledi have all met the criteria, following the necessary protocols.