Tensions flared in Soweto on Monday as members of Operation Dudula disrupted the registration of spaza shops at municipal offices in Jabulani.
Story Summary:
- Operation Dudula disrupted spaza shop registrations in Soweto, preventing foreign business owners from complying with government regulations.
- Angry residents and Dudula members protested, demanding local spaza shop owners be prioritized over foreign nationals.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa announced stringent measures to regulate spaza shops and combat food safety risks after recent food poisoning incidents.
Watch: Operation Dudula halts spaza shop registrations in Soweto
Foreign business owners arriving to register their shops in compliance with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent directive were turned away by Dudula members and local residents.
Protesters accused government officials of sidelining South African spaza shop owners.
One Dudula member voiced frustration, saying, “We are gatvol. But our president decides to prioritise them over us.”
Zandile Dabula, President of Operation Dudula, echoed the sentiment:
“We don’t want them to register their spaza shops. This space must be reserved for South Africans.”
Ramaphosa slams the gauntlet on informal trading food safety
The protests come just days after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s national address on Friday, where he unveiled sweeping reforms aimed at regulating spaza shops and tackling food safety risks.
The measures follow a rise in foodborne illnesses that have claimed 22 lives, including those of six children in Naledi, Soweto, last month.
In his address, Ramaphosa identified unsafe practices in spaza shops as a significant concern, citing incidents where food was stored alongside hazardous chemicals like Terbufos, an agricultural pesticide illegally sold as a rat poison in townships.
To address the crisis, Ramaphosa outlined a multi-pronged plan:
- Spaza Shop Regulations:
- All spaza shops must register with municipalities within 21 days or face closure.
- Door-to-door inspections will begin in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal before expanding nationwide.
- Tightened Pesticide Controls:
- A crackdown on illegal pesticide sales, with inspections targeting manufacturers and distributors.
- Stricter protocols on pesticide storage and traceability will be implemented.
- Community Education and Child Protection:
- Public education campaigns will raise awareness about food safety and pesticide dangers.
- Schools will receive updated safety guidelines to prevent foodborne illnesses.
- Improved Municipal Waste Management:
- Municipalities are required to address waste management issues that contribute to rat infestations.
- Non-compliance will result in strict sanctions, including legal penalties.
- Support for Township Businesses:
- A R500 million fund will help township and rural businesses meet safety and operational standards.
“These measures demand collective responsibility,” Ramaphosa stated.
“All South Africans must work together to ensure food safety and protect our children.”
