Spaza shop owners who were unable to register their businesses fear losing their income

JOHANNESBURG - Spaza shop owners who have been unable to register their businesses say they fear losing their income.
 
Tuesday marked the final day for all store owners across the country to enlist their shops onto government’s database.
 
Many were unable to successfully complete their registrations due to various issues including outstanding documents.

READ: Some foreign nationals claim they had to pay bribes to register their spaza shops
 
Some spaza shop owners in Jabulani, Soweto were turned away due to outstanding documents such as health and safety certificates and building plans.

One resident, who operates his business from his garage, said the requirements needed to register spaza shops were too much for small businesses.
 
"We run very small businesses. These are hand-to-mouth businesses. These spaza shops put food on the table. We can't even afford to pay for electricity."
 
Another spaza shop owner said that an extension was needed.
 
"We come from Ethiopia, we are coming from very far. We came here and never asked the government for any support, we created our own jobs. Some people say they are going to close our shops. If they close our shops, we can’t survive. We survive with this, we don’t have another job."
 
Government is expected to provide an update on the outcome of the 21-day registration process on Wednesday.