Gauteng finance dept says it's working to ensure local economy in hands of SA citizens

JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Department of Finance and Economic Development says its working towards the local economy being in the hands of South African citizens.

At the moment, local businesses are undergoing inspections at food stores including spaza shops, supermarkets and warehouses.

This stems from President Cyril Ramaphosa's directive to make sure that every operator in the sector is registered.

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While the inspection of food vendors remains a top priority, the Gauteng Department of Finance and Economic Development says it is also concerned about who is running the operations.

An undocumented foreign national was arrested at the Supa Store in Moroka for not having a work permit during a raid on Monday.

Chief Director of consumer affairs, Raymond Martin, said that more arrests were made.

"We are working closely with the Department of Labour to ensure that we root out that particular problem to ensure that those who are employed in these stores are South Africans and not necessarily foreign nationals but I can tell you without fear of contradiction that there are many undocumented foreign nationals."

He added that the number of people arrested in the raid was not yet clear.