Following the deaths and hospitalisation of schoolchildren due to food poisoning last year, ActionSA Gauteng had made submissions to the provincial authorities to close foreign-owned spaza shops, pending a compliance audit.
The report by Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile, that only 196 (5%) out of the 3,921 spaza shop compliance applications from foreign nationals received approval is not surprising. This report confirms what ActionSA Gauteng had been raising to the provincial government – the vast majority of foreign-owned spaza shops don’t comply with our legislative and by-laws frameworks.
ActionSA Gauteng commends the collaboration by the provincial government, the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Revenue Services (SARS) and law enforcement agencies to ensure that foreign nationals adhere to the laws of the country. Gauteng residents, especially children, should never be exposed to similar atrocities as experienced in 2024.
Through its #Spaza4Locals campaign, ActionSA has long been demanding that spaza shops should be reserved for South Africans. However, it is encouraging that out of the 9,277 applications received by the province, 5,356 (58%) were from South African citizens, and MEC Maile should be at the forefront of ensuring that this number is exponentially increased. This would help grow Gauteng’s economy and reduce the high levels of unemployment and poverty, especially in townships.
Of great concern are foreign nationals who submitted fraudulent documentation in their applications and those spaza shops that continue to operate after being ordered to close down. We implore the provincial government to take necessary actions against foreign nationals who submitted fraudulent documents and officials who assisted them in obtaining those documents, including criminal prosecutions and dismissals. To ensure our laws are respected, our law enforcement must clamp down heavily on criminal activities.
As a constructive opposition, ActionSA Gauteng is committed to providing the necessary support to the provincial government to ensure that Gauteng residents’ well-being and needs are prioritised.
ActionSA Gauteng Vindicated By MEC Maile’s Report on Spaza Shops Registrations
Following the deaths and hospitalisation of schoolchildren due to food poisoning last year, ActionSA Gauteng had made submissions to the provincial authorities to close foreign-owned spaza shops, pending a compliance audit.
The report by Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile, that only 196 (5%) out of the 3,921 spaza shop compliance applications from foreign nationals received approval is not surprising. This report confirms what ActionSA Gauteng had been raising to the provincial government – the vast majority of foreign-owned spaza shops don’t comply with our legislative and by-laws frameworks.
ActionSA Gauteng commends the collaboration by the provincial government, the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Revenue Services (SARS) and law enforcement agencies to ensure that foreign nationals adhere to the laws of the country. Gauteng residents, especially children, should never be exposed to similar atrocities as experienced in 2024.
Through its #Spaza4Locals campaign, ActionSA has long been demanding that spaza shops should be reserved for South Africans. However, it is encouraging that out of the 9,277 applications received by the province, 5,356 (58%) were from South African citizens, and MEC Maile should be at the forefront of ensuring that this number is exponentially increased. This would help grow Gauteng’s economy and reduce the high levels of unemployment and poverty, especially in townships.
Of great concern are foreign nationals who submitted fraudulent documentation in their applications and those spaza shops that continue to operate after being ordered to close down. We implore the provincial government to take necessary actions against foreign nationals who submitted fraudulent documents and officials who assisted them in obtaining those documents, including criminal prosecutions and dismissals. To ensure our laws are respected, our law enforcement must clamp down heavily on criminal activities.
As a constructive opposition, ActionSA Gauteng is committed to providing the necessary support to the provincial government to ensure that Gauteng residents’ well-being and needs are prioritised.