Over 1,000 spaza shops closed in crackdown - Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday that more than 1,000 spaza shops, supermarkets, and warehouses have been shut down in the government’s move to curb foodborne illnesses.
He revealed the number during his annual address to the National Council of Provinces on Thursday.
Ramaphosa added that nearly 200,000 spaza shops across the country have been inspected by multi-disciplinary teams.
Earlier this month, Ramaphosa issued a directive requiring all spaza shops and food-handling facilities to register with local municipalities within 21 days.
This measure follows a surge in food-borne illnesses linked to informal traders, which has claimed more than 20 lives and resulted in over 800 reported cases across the country.
"Many South Africans get their food from spaza shops and informal traders,” Ramaphosa told MPs.
“These outlets are an important part of township and rural economies. They provide residents with convenience and value. However, the recent spate of food-borne illnesses has highlighted the several risks associated with these enterprises.
“The tragic deaths of a number of children after eating food from some of these outlets requires urgent and decisive action to prevent the contamination of food by harmful substances, particularly pesticides that are being sold unlawfully," added Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa says large quantities of goods have been confiscated, and numerous fines have been issued for violations of by-laws.
He added that poverty in South Africa is also a result of where people live.
"Our cities and towns were designed by the apartheid planners to keep black people at a distance from the centres of economic activity and social services. This has created spatial inequality that we have yet to be able to overcome.
“One of the consequences of this situation is that millions of South Africans, especially the poor and working class, spend a large portion of their income on transport costs.
“Studies suggest that poor households can spend more than a third of their income on transport. The work that has been done over the last few years to restore the key commuter train corridors to full operation is a vital part of efforts to reduce the cost of living," he said.
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