Final push for spaza shops owners to register ahead on Friday's deadline

JOHANNESBURG - It's the final rush for spaza shop owners to officially register their businesses as Friday marks D-Day for compliance.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa (COGTA) has been doing last-minute inspections in Tshwane on Thursday to ensure deadlines are met.

Last year, the country saw a significant rise in deadly food contamination cases, particularly among children.

The most notable incident was in Naledi, Soweto where six children died after consuming compromised food bought from spaza shops.

READ: Hlabisa warns that another deadline extension for spaza shop registrations unlikely

In a bid to regulate spazas, President Cyril Ramaphosa gave shop owners and food-handling facilities until Friday to officially register their businesses to allow for thorough oversight.

However, according to shop owners, the process has been riddled with hang-ups – with many complaining it makes it difficult for them to comply.

Hlabisa visited one of the centres processing compliance in the capital to witness challenges first hand and has urged owners to register and meet the deadline.

"Any spaza shop or food handling outlet that would not have been rightfully applied and registered by yesterday. It will be illegal to operate as from the first of March," he said.

Meanwhile, government has reiterated that no further extensions will be granted to spaza shop owners to register their businesses.

Hlabisa has warned operators to comply and avoid being shut-down and  urged them to not throw in the towel.

"First things first. Do your application complete your application, get the proof that you have applied."

He added that business who fail to provide proof of application and registration will be shut down.