Spaza shops in informal dwellings to wait longer to find out if they can continue operating
On Wednesday, Gauteng acting Premier Lebogang Maile announced that stores located in areas that are not officially proclaimed would need to await further instruction from the Human Settlements Department.
Police were deployed to Alexandra in Johannesburg on 3 November 2024 as community members gathered outside a spaza shop, attempting to confiscate and destroy stock stored in their after a girl died after she allegedly ate snacks bought at the shop. Picture: Mongezi Koko/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - Spaza shops operating in informal areas will have to wait longer to find out if they can continue operating.
On Wednesday, Gauteng acting Premier Lebogang Maile announced that stores located in areas that are not officially proclaimed would need to await further instruction from the Human Settlements Department.
This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa's directive in November, requiring all spaza shop owners nationwide to register their businesses by this coming Friday.
Maile said those operating in informal dwellings may need to submit additional documents along with their applications.
“Most of the outstanding documents from applications include unapproved internal floor layout plans, approved building plans, consent use as well as certificates of acceptance and fire safety. Business owners have been advised to acquire this documentation for further processing of their applications.
“Additionally, there are businesses operating from informal dwellings in areas that are not proclaimed. These must first await a director from the Department of Human Settlements.”
• Since the president's order last month, 13 616 Spaza shops in Gauteng have applied for registration.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) December 11, 2024
• 1 916 were unable to complete their applications.
• 2 605 applications came from foreign nationals.
• 541 non-compliant Spaza shops have been closed. @JusstAlpha pic.twitter.com/7RugHAGlAk