All spaza shops being inspected, not just foreign-owned ones - Ntshavheni
At least 1,000 shops have been closed down after interventions were announced last month, following a spate of deaths, particularly of young children.
Garden Route District Municipality officials inspect goods at a spaza shop. Picture: Gardenroute.gov.za
CAPE TOWN - Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says over 200,000 spaza shops have been inspected since the government announced its interventions to curb food-borne illnesses.
At least 1,000 shops have been closed down.
Briefing on Cabinet’s last meeting for the year at Parliament on Thursday, Ntshavheni stressed it was not only foreign-owned shops being checked.
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President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the interventions last month after a spate of deaths, particularly of young children who had consumed snacks bought from spaza shops.
Ntshavheni said to successfully register a shop, foreign nationals needed to provide evidence they had invested more than R5 million in their businesses, as required by law.
"Cabinet reminds all spaza shops and food handling facilities that they are required to register with their municipality within 21 days from the 15th of November 2024, and to meet the required health standards."
Cabinet also approved funding for registered businesses.
"The Department of Small Business Development and Trade, Industry and Competition are finalising the setting up of an SMME fund to the value of half a billion rand to support South African-owned township and rural businesses as soon as they meet the compliance requirements."