By OBAKENG MAJE
28 October 2024- The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Infrastructure, Itumeleng Maribe said they will intensify a crackdown on spaza shops across Taung. Last week, the municipality confiscated expired food and counterfeit goods worth over R350 000 from various spaza shops in Kgomotso, Losasaneng, Kameelspuits and Ikageng villages in Ga-Mothibi area.
Maribe further said the crackdown duped: Ga Re Shename campaign, targeted shops that sell poisonous foods to the public, which has sparked public outcry. He added that the campaign was in conjunction with various stakeholders such as Home Affairs’ Immigration unit, South African Police Service (SAPS) and Municipal Health Inspectors.
“We embarked on a random search and ensure that spaza shops owners are compliant. You will understand that this comes amid several reports of people who have died and others falling ill after allegedly consuming food bought from spaza shops.
“Even though we have not experienced that in our area recently, it is better to be safe than sorry. This has become a matter of grave concern countrywide lately. We can confirm that expired goods worth over R350 000 were confiscated and disposed of during the campaign,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams told SABC News that they have amended the legislation to ensure that it gives authority to her department. Ndabeni-Abrahams said when she arrived in office, the Portfolio Committee did not pass any legislation that gives authority to the department.
“We have established the Township Economy Task Force, which consists of Food Manufacturers, Consumers Protection, Department of Health, Department of Home Affairs and other stakeholders.
“We have also reached out to the Department of COGHSTA because licensing lies with the municipalities. We do recognize weaknesses at the local government and that is why you see the Minister of Health getting into that space saying although the National Health Act gives authority, the National Environmental Health should visit the municipalities,” she said.
Ndabeni-Abrahams said, however, they are aware of some challenges, therefore the Department of Health will step in. She said the municipalities should strengthen the by-laws and there are the Department of Labour to ensure there is enforcement.
“We have spoken to the COGHSTA to ensure that municipalities impose compliance. Those who have the right to trade are those who have certificates to trade. That is why today, we have the Small Enterprise Act that has just been signed by the president of the Republic of South Africa (RSA), Cyril Ramphosa.
“Why is it important to pass legislation? There are a lot of challenges experienced by entrepreneurs that require the department to have authority and time to make certain determination,” she said.
According to Ndabeni-Abrahams, without a law that empowers them, they cannot be able. She said at some point, people may recall that in 2021, during COVID-19 pandemonium, she was criticized for issuing directives on how spaza shops should operate and other informal businesses.
“We will engage the cabinet in November 2024, to bring that policy, including the Township Economic Development and Revitalisation Plan, in order to reclaim and give authority because we never imagined a situation whereby in a township, there could be an influx of illegal foreigners that can trade in the areas.
“The spaza shops were in partnership with Wholesalers and retailers. Firstly, we provided training, registration of those spaza shops and called for applications, where we needed 1000 spaza shops,” said Ndabeni-Abrahams.
The Guardian 