Government takes hard line on illegal spaza shops
Government wants to clamp down on spaza shops being run by foreign nationals who are in the country illegally and who have not invested financially as required by law, reports EWN.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced yesterday that an audit of spaza shops in villages and townships was imminent.
It comes off the back of a recent Home Affairs workshop with mayors and traditional leaders on international migration.
Ntshavheni said Cabinet was concerned by the recent poisoning of young children in particular, who allegedly ate goods purchased from spaza shops and vendors.
Ntshavheni said by-laws were to be introduced in municipalities aimed at tightening the monitoring of spaza shops, especially those owned by foreign nationals.
‘There will be immediate inspections of businesses, in particular spaza shops, by the Departments of Labour, Health, Small Business Development and Home Affairs immigration inspectorate to enforce compliance with applicable by-laws.’ Spaza shops will also have to register with municipalities and traditional authorities.
Ntshavheni said that the registration of spaza shops would require compliance with the Business Act.
‘A foreign national can only undertake business in SA if they make an investment of more than R5m.’
Traditional authorities will also be encouraged to keep a record of foreign nationals living in their communities.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.