'It's not business as usual. Informal business sector needs to be regulated soon' – Small Business Institute

John Perlman interviews John Dludlu, CEO of Small Business Institute.

Listen below.

On Saturday, 10-year-old Lesedi Maaboi tragically passed away after experiencing chest pains shortly after allegedly eating chips from a spaza shop near her home.

Her death adds to a growing concern, as dozens of children in townships across the country have reportedly died under similar circumstances, raising fears of widespread food contamination.

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These incidents have reignited discussions about the need for stricter regulations governing informal sector traders in South Africa.

Dludlu believes this situation presents an urgent opportunity for significant and decisive action, advocating for a nationwide crackdown on unregulated food vendors to ensure the safety of consumers.

This includes designating township and village economies as sectors for ownership and operation primarily by South Africans.

Dludlu says that 'there is nothing xenophobic about this'.

"Botswana is the beacon of peace, stability and democracy and no one is accusing them of xenophobia...they are protecting their industries and we should be doing the same."

- John Dludlu, CEO – Small Business Institute

Dludlu emphasises the need for South Africans to have confidence that spaza shops and their owners do not pose a national security threat.

He adds that it is essential that the financial activities of these businesses are transparent and properly regulated, ensuring that their proceeds are not funneled into illicit operations, either domestically or internationally.

"We don't know what their profits go to...It would be criminal for anyone who works in the ecosystem to say it can be business as usual."

- John Dludlu, CEO – Small Business Institute

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.