Govt rejects claims that spaza shop registration programme will collapse township economy
Store owners across the country risk having their businesses shut down if they fail to register their spaza shops.
Minister of Cooperative Governance Velenkosini Hlabisa briefed the media on 18 December 2024. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - Government has rejected claims that its spaza shop registration programme will collapse the township economy.
Store owners across the country risk having their businesses shut down if they fail to register their spaza shops.
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In the past three weeks, over 40,000 spaza shops have applied for registration, with only 19,000 of those applications being approved.
Speaking at a media briefing, Minister of Cooperative Governance Velenkosini Hlabisa explained that the registration process was aimed at regulating the spaza shop industry.
"The government needs to do more work to ensure that the sector is properly regulated and adheres to health regulations. Registration ensures that all spaza shops and food handling outlets meet the minimum standards regardless of their past operations."