NGO says government must be liable for spaza shops still operating without licences after 8-year-old hospitalised
An 8-year-old boy was hospitalised after he reportedly consumed snacks from a tuck shop in Mapetla, Soweto.
FILE: City of Tshwane officials and the Tshwane Metro Police Department conducted a by-law enforcement operation in Pretoria West on 21 March 2025. Picture: @CityTshwane/X
JOHANNESBURG - Forum for South Africa is calling for the government to be held legally accountable for allegedly allowing illegal spaza shops to continue operating.
This follows the hospitalisation of an 8-year-old boy after he reportedly consumed snacks from a tuck shop in Mapetla, Soweto.
ALSO READ:
- Soweto family opens case after son hospitalised from eating snacks bought at spaza shop
- Hlabisa welcomes closure of spaza shop that allegedly sold contaminated snacks to a child
It is understood that the tuck shop was operating without a valid permit.
The NGO's Tebogo Mashilompane has also accused politicians of being reactive when it comes to issues affecting ordinary citizens
"Now that there is a new case of a child eating snacks from the illegal spaza shop, Minister Hlabisa is reacting to the issue instead of combatting it. What shocks us is that there are clear rules for spaza shop operators. Guidelines are there, and spaza owners continue to operate without licenses and is business as usual."