ActionSA Gauteng Youth Forum is deeply concerned about President Ramaphosa’s national address on Friday, November 15th. In a press statement released the following day, we highlighted the President’s failure to provide tangible solutions to curb the rising cases of airborne illnesses that have resulted in multiple fatalities across South Africa.
The President instructed spaza shops and vendors to register their businesses within 21 days, a move that is partially a step in the right direction but does not address the root causes of the problem.
According to the law, foreign nationals are prohibited from operating businesses with a turnover of less than R5 million, and such businesses cannot be registered with CIPC.
However, the Premier’s assertion that everyone can register and operate a spaza shop in South Africa is misleading and ignores the legal prohibition. Gauteng Youth Forum demands transparency and accountability from municipalities in issuing permits to spaza shop owners and vendors. All applications made within the 21-day timeframe and beyond must be made public for scrutiny.
We also call for the establishment of a special multidisciplinary directorate to oversee this process, comprising representatives from CIPC, the Department of Home Affairs, Municipal Departments, SARS, Forgery and Fraud experts, Gauteng Community Safety, and representatives of parties represented in Councils.
Furthermore, we demand that property owners stop renting shops to foreign nationals, as this is illegal and contributes to the proliferation of unregistered and unregulated spaza shops. Residents must report such activities to the authorities.
The President’s address also failed to acknowledge the contribution of Ward councillors, who have been taking money from foreign nationals in exchange for security and protection. Gauteng Youth Forum demands that these councillors be reported to law enforcement and the offices of speakers across Gauteng municipalities.
In addition, we call for the transparent distribution of the R500 Million joint fund. The management of funds meant for spaza shops owners and vendors has dismally failed throughout the country, with the majority of beneficiaries being cadres and foreign nationals.
The #SpazaLocals Bill, proposed by ActionSA in Parliament, seeks to redress decades of mismanagement of funds, open borders, and the hijacked R200 Billion township economy. The Forum supports this initiative and demands that the state appoints an ad-hoc committee to oversee
applications and distribution of the stimulus.
Finally, we demand that the Department of Justice and Correctional Services establishes a special unit to deal with suspected illegal immigrants. This unit must work closely with the Police to apprehend and deport individuals who are in the country illegally, with a timeframe of 60 days to conclude cases.
Gauteng Youth Forum will continue to push for urgent action and transparency from the government on this critical issue. The survival of our communities depends on it.
Gauteng Youth Forum Calls for Transparency and Accountability in Spaza Shop Registration and Guides Against Corruption
ActionSA Gauteng Youth Forum is deeply concerned about President Ramaphosa’s national address on Friday, November 15th. In a press statement released the following day, we highlighted the President’s failure to provide tangible solutions to curb the rising cases of airborne illnesses that have resulted in multiple fatalities across South Africa.
The President instructed spaza shops and vendors to register their businesses within 21 days, a move that is partially a step in the right direction but does not address the root causes of the problem.
According to the law, foreign nationals are prohibited from operating businesses with a turnover of less than R5 million, and such businesses cannot be registered with CIPC.
However, the Premier’s assertion that everyone can register and operate a spaza shop in South Africa is misleading and ignores the legal prohibition. Gauteng Youth Forum demands transparency and accountability from municipalities in issuing permits to spaza shop owners and vendors. All applications made within the 21-day timeframe and beyond must be made public for scrutiny.
We also call for the establishment of a special multidisciplinary directorate to oversee this process, comprising representatives from CIPC, the Department of Home Affairs, Municipal Departments, SARS, Forgery and Fraud experts, Gauteng Community Safety, and representatives of parties represented in Councils.
Furthermore, we demand that property owners stop renting shops to foreign nationals, as this is illegal and contributes to the proliferation of unregistered and unregulated spaza shops. Residents must report such activities to the authorities.
The President’s address also failed to acknowledge the contribution of Ward councillors, who have been taking money from foreign nationals in exchange for security and protection. Gauteng Youth Forum demands that these councillors be reported to law enforcement and the offices of speakers across Gauteng municipalities.
In addition, we call for the transparent distribution of the R500 Million joint fund. The management of funds meant for spaza shops owners and vendors has dismally failed throughout the country, with the majority of beneficiaries being cadres and foreign nationals.
The #SpazaLocals Bill, proposed by ActionSA in Parliament, seeks to redress decades of mismanagement of funds, open borders, and the hijacked R200 Billion township economy. The Forum supports this initiative and demands that the state appoints an ad-hoc committee to oversee
applications and distribution of the stimulus.
Finally, we demand that the Department of Justice and Correctional Services establishes a special unit to deal with suspected illegal immigrants. This unit must work closely with the Police to apprehend and deport individuals who are in the country illegally, with a timeframe of 60 days to conclude cases.
Gauteng Youth Forum will continue to push for urgent action and transparency from the government on this critical issue. The survival of our communities depends on it.