The South African government has extended the registration deadline for spaza shops to February 28, 2025, following delays and concerns about bureaucratic challenges. The extension comes in the wake of deadly food poisoning incidents that have claimed the lives of dozens of children, raising public alarm over the safety of products sold in these shops.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa announced the extension, initially set to expire on December 17, after many shop owners reported difficulties navigating the registration process. In Gauteng Province alone, over 25,000 forms were issued, but fewer than half were returned.
The Black Business Council welcomed the extension, describing the original deadline as unrealistic, but the decision has sparked mixed reactions. Community concerns center on the sale of expired and contaminated food, with many pointing fingers at foreign-owned spaza shops. Recent incidents, including the hospitalization of 47 schoolchildren after consuming expired snacks, have intensified these fears.
Authorities have pledged stricter inspections for registered shops, emphasizing health and safety compliance. Despite the extended deadline, debates continue over the effectiveness of registration in preventing foodborne illnesses, with calls for routine inspections and immediate shutdowns of non-compliant shops.