Read 2 minutes

The deadline for spaza shop owners and other food-handling facilities across South Africa to register their businesses is fast approaching. Owners have been given until December 13 to comply or face closure.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the new requirement on November 15 in response to over 800 reported incidents of food-borne illnesses across all provinces. Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal were most affected. Limpopo, Free State, and Mpumalanga also reported cases.

How did we get here?

Concern spread after six children in Soweto, Gauteng, died from eating snacks purchased at a local spaza shop.

Investigations by local health authorities revealed that the food contained Terbufos, a chemical compound commonly used in pesticides and nematicides.

Terbufos is registered in South Africa for agricultural use. Despite this, it is reportedly being sold informally in townships and informal settlements as a “street pesticide” to control rats.

The health department’s tests in Soweto’s Naledi area found evidence of Terbufos in three out of 84 sampled spaza shops.

So far, more than 20 children have died due to foodborne illnesses linked to snacks bought from informal traders, often near schools or homes.

Government response

In response to the crisis, Ramaphosa announced that spaza shops implicated in the deaths of the children would be shut down immediately. He also urged all food-handling businesses to register, warning of strict action against non-compliance.

“We’ve given them a time frame to come forward… If they don’t come forward by themselves, then we will be compelled to take action,” Ramaphosa said.

The country’s National Disaster Management Centre has also classified the rise in foodborne illnesses across the country as a national disaster.

Challenges for spaza shop owners

Spaza shop owners have expressed concerns over the short deadline for registering their businesses. The registration process requires compliance with several regulations, including obtaining zoning certificates, environmental clearances, work permits, and visas for foreign nationals operating these shops.

Many owners argue that the timeline is insufficient to meet these requirements, especially given the complexities of securing the necessary documentation.

Spaza shops, small informal retail stores primarily located in townships, typically sell food essentials and household necessities. However, the recent incidents have placed a spotlight on their safety practices and regulatory compliance.

As the deadline nears, the government remains firm in its stance to ensure public safety.