Gauteng’s spaza shop registration drive has recorded 13,616 applications ahead of Friday’s deadline, with just days remaining for compliance.
Gauteng spaza shop registrations in numbers: What you must know
This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s directive last month requiring all spaza shops and food-handling businesses to register with their respective municipalities.
Of the total applications, 2,605 were submitted by foreign nationals, revealing that one in five spaza shops in the province is foreign-owned.
However, challenges persist as 1,916 applications remain incomplete due to missing documents or errors.
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Acting Gauteng Premier Lebogang Maile provided an update on the progress in a press briefing on Wednesday, noting that 541 non-compliant shops have been shut down during inspections.
He expressed concern about threats directed at officials facilitating the registration process, stressing that successful applicants would have to wait for verification to learn the outcomes of their submissions.
Meanwhile, the City of Tshwane has made significant efforts to simplify registration, encouraging spaza shop owners to use an online portal or visit municipal offices for assistance.
MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning Sarah Mabotsa underscored the importance of this initiative, noting that it followed a series of foodborne illnesses linked to hazardous substances sold by some spaza shops.
Spaza shop owners are required to submit identification documents, proof of address, and business details to complete their registrations.
South African nationals must provide an ID, while foreign nationals are required to submit a valid passport, visa, or refugee permit along with proof of business eligibility.
Despite these guidelines, delays and long queues at registration offices have left many shop owners frustrated.
A Soweto shop owner, Mrs Hegele, shared her struggle:
“I thought I should register before opening my shop, but now I don’t know what to do.”
In addition to logistical challenges, some applicants are unable to meet documentation requirements.
A Somali shop owner whose asylum papers had expired called for an extension of the deadline, stating that securing the necessary paperwork within the tight timeframe was nearly impossible.
Others expressed concerns about perceived inefficiencies at registration centres, further complicating their ability to comply.
The consequences of missing the 13 December deadline are severe, with unregistered businesses facing potential fines and closures.
Municipal officials have reiterated the urgency of compliance, with the City of Johannesburg urging traders to act immediately.
To date, 5,944 applications have been issued across the city’s 25 registration centres.
As the deadline looms, it remains to be seen how many of Gauteng’s spaza shops will meet the requirements in time.
