Deadline looms for spaza shop owners, food-handling outlets to register their businesses
Business owners have been warned that they would not be granted further extensions.
The families of five children who died on Sunday after allegedly consuming chips from a local spaza shop in Naledi, Soweto, are looking for closure.
JOHANNESBURG - February 28 marks the final deadline for all spaza shop owners and food-handling outlets to register their businesses in a bid to regulate the industry.
The registration drive follows an increase in foodborne illnesses allegedly linked to products sold at some of the shops.
Business owners have been warned that they will not be granted further extensions.
Ministers Aaron Motsoaledi and Velenkosini Hlabisa said they were satisfied with the progress in the registration drive so far.
[In Pictures] COGTA Minister - Velenkosini Hlabisa is conducting last minute Spaza Shop Registration inspections - In Tshwane CBD - ahead of the deadline tomorrow.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) February 27, 2025
TN pic.twitter.com/q2QAwikJqm
The aim of the process is to remove hazardous pesticides and prevent children from being exposed to harmful substances.
Hlabisa said that health environmental practitioners would be roped in to inspect shops from March.
"Health environmental practitioners will play a greater role because every law enforcing agency will not be able to operate without the guidance of the health environmental practitioners."
Government said that while the registration step was crucial, it does not guarantee eligibility to trade.
Non-compliant businesses will face enforcemnets including fines, arrests and closures.