Maile: Registering spazas on behalf of foreigners must stop
Gauteng Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile has warned South African citizens against registering spaza shops on behalf of foreigners.
Maile briefed the media on Tuesday to outline the province’s plan to assist spaza shop owners in meeting legal standards and registering their businesses.
This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's directive that all spaza shops and food handling facilities must register with local municipalities within 21 days, starting last Friday.
The president's order comes in response to a surge in food-borne illnesses, which have claimed 22 lives and resulted in over 800 reported cases.
The government’s plan includes removing hazardous pesticides from circulation, safeguarding children, and preventing future incidents.
Maile raised concerns about South Africans aiding non-compliant foreign nationals by registering spaza shops on their behalf.
“This flagrant disregard for the law is unacceptable as it makes it difficult for municipalities to compile valid data on enterprises in townships, which in turn makes monitoring compliance challenging,” he said.
“It could also create legal challenges for South Africans in cases of negligence resulting in hospitalisations or deaths. Moreover, undocumented foreign nationals operating businesses pose a serious national security risk as they fall outside the system.”
The MEC acknowledged concerns about the tight 21-day registration deadline.
“The provincial government, working with municipalities, will visit businesses to assist with registrations and ensure online systems are in place. These are legitimate concerns, and we are addressing them,” Maile said.
He outlined the registration requirements, which include a completed application form, certified identity documents, proof of residence, business registration, zoning certificates, and health compliance.
Foreign nationals must provide valid documentation from the Department of Home Affairs, such as a business visa or work permit.
“Eligibility for a business visa requires a foreign national to invest R5 million into an existing business or submit a business plan with evidence of the same amount as a capital contribution,” Maile added.
Registration points have been set up at community halls, libraries, and municipal offices, with online systems being developed to streamline the process.
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