Gauteng spaza shops flouting regulations to be monitored weekly, says acting Joburg mayor
Acting Johannesburg Mayor Eunice Mgcina made the announcement during raids at stores in Diepsloot and Soweto, which form part of a broader initiative aimed at preventing foodborne illnesses and deaths.
Five children died after consuming chips bought from a spaza shop in Naledi, Soweto. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng spaza shops found to be flouting regulations will be monitored on a weekly basis to ensure they do not illegally reopen.
Acting Johannesburg Mayor Eunice Mgcina made the announcement during raids at stores in Diepsloot and Soweto on Saturday.
The raids form part of a broader initiative aimed at preventing foodborne illnesses and deaths.
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The operation follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address on Friday night, in which he ordered the permanent closure of shops linked to food contamination.
Mgcina reiterated the president’s call, saying the directive will be enforced in every municipality.
“Once an operation is done in a particular area, then we need to make sure that the monitoring team, on a weekly basis, remain behind in monitoring whether we have spaza shop owners who bring illegal goods into their shops. So, they will be monitoring that.”