Image: Oupa Mokoena- 21 Days to Register or Close: The Battle for South Africa’s Spaza Shops Heats Up between Operation Dudula and Foreign Owners.]
(The Post News)- Following reports of 890 foodborne illnesses and 22 child deaths allegedly linked to poorly regulated goods sold in spaza shops, President Cyril Ramaphosa has tasked the Department of Health and local municipalities with overseeing the registration process of these establishments within 21 days.
President Ramaphosa’s announcement came after health authorities raised concerns about unsanitary conditions and untraceable supply chains in many spaza shops. Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams defended the registration initiative, emphasizing its importance for public health and governance. She outlined the need for a coordinated approach involving multiple government departments.
Ndabeni-Abrahams explained that a multidisciplinary approach is essential for accountability, enabling authorities to monitor food safety standards, track the origins of goods, and verify immigration statuses.
However, Soweto residents and members of Operation Dudula have physically prevented foreign spaza shop owners from registering their businesses. Residents argue that President Ramaphosa’s address did not address long-standing grievances about foreign nationals dominating the township economy.
Zandile Dabula, a Soweto resident and vocal Operation Dudula member, expressed outrage in an interview with SABC News: “South Africans are very angry with Mr. Ramaphosa’s statement. We’ve been fighting for this township economy to return to South African hands, but we are being failed by the very person who should represent us. This shows he’s prioritizing foreigners over his own citizens.”
Foreign shop owners have expressed concerns about the feasibility of the 21-day deadline. Alex, a shop owner from Mamelodi, explained in an interview with Newzroom Afrika: “Twenty-one days is too short. If the president gave us at least three or four months, we could make a plan.”
As the 21-day countdown continues, it remains unclear whether the government will extend the registration period or take further action to mitigate the unrest.
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