City of Joburg announces phased approach to shut down spaza shops! The City of Johannesburg has announced a phased plan to shut down spaza shops across the metro following the tragic deaths of six children who allegedly consumed snacks from a local spaza shop in Soweto.
This incident has raised concerns about the safety standards and regulation of these informal businesses, prompting city officials to take decisive action.
On Tuesday, the City’s Health and Safety Department conducted an inspection at Devland Cash and Carry, a wholesaler in Soweto that is believed to supply the spaza shop where the children purchased the contaminated snacks.
City of Joburg announces phased approach to shut down spaza shops
The inspection is part of a broader effort to address safety concerns in the food supply chain and ensure that retailers comply with health regulations.
The deaths of the six children have sent shockwaves through the local community and sparked outrage over the lack of oversight in spaza shops, many of which operate in underserved areas and provide affordable food and goods to residents.
These small, informal shops are often run by immigrants or locals and are a vital part of the township economy, but they are also known to lack proper regulation and safety checks.
The City of Johannesburg is now tasked with the monumental challenge of closing these shops or ensuring they comply with stringent health and safety standards. According to MMC for Public Safety Mgcini Tshwaku, the city’s phased approach will begin in Soweto and gradually expand to other areas with a high concentration of spaza shops.
Tshwaku explained, “You can do it in a phased approach; people must comply with reapplication and all of that. You can start with Soweto, then move on to other areas.”
However, Tshwaku’s ambitious plan faces several challenges, including a lack of resources and manpower. With only 33 inspectors available to oversee Soweto’s vast network of spaza shops, the task of shutting down non-compliant businesses seems overwhelming.
The inspectors will need to conduct thorough inspections, verify the origins of stock, and ensure that shops meet basic health and safety standards before they can reopen.
While the city’s intention to protect public health is clear, not everyone agrees with the proposed strategy. Lebogang Maile, the provincial MEC for Economic Development and Finance, has voiced concerns over the feasibility and legality of shutting down all spaza shops, whether they comply with regulations or not.
Maile argued that there is no easy or legal way to close all spaza shops indiscriminately, as many of them are vital to the livelihoods of local communities.
The clash between Tshwaku’s enforcement-driven approach and Maile’s more cautious stance reflects the complexities of regulating informal businesses in South Africa. Spaza shops are deeply embedded in township economies and provide essential goods at affordable prices to low-income households.
Any attempt to shut them down could have significant economic and social consequences, particularly for the poorest communities.
At the same time, the tragic deaths of the six children have underscored the need for better regulation and oversight. Health and safety must be prioritized to prevent similar incidents in the future. The city’s phased approach aims to strike a balance between maintaining the availability of essential goods through spaza shops while ensuring that these businesses comply with safety standards.
The city is also calling on spaza shop owners to cooperate with the inspections and comply with the reapplication process. Those found to be in violation of health regulations will be forced to close, while compliant businesses will be allowed to continue operating. The goal is to create a safer, more regulated environment for informal businesses while protecting public health.
As the phased shutdown progresses, Johannesburg residents and spaza shop owners alike will be watching closely to see how the city navigates this delicate issue. The tragic loss of life has prompted necessary action, but the execution of these plans will determine the future of spaza shops in the city and their role in township communities.
