A Rush To Register Spaza Shop Businesses As Deadline Looms
Spaza shop owners in Mpumalanga are rushing to municipal offices to register business before Fridays closing date. This after President Cyril Ramaphosa mandated that all spaza shops and food businesses should be registered with their municipalities.
This was one of the government strategies to ensure compliance with food handling regulations, following incidents of food-borne illnesses that resulted in childrens deaths linked to products from these shops.
One of the spaza shop operators who was at the Mbombela municipality, Taerkeng Kabot, says he is happy the initial deadline was extended.
It is not the first time I am coming here. I came first time to apply but I was delayed by my other businesses. I am here today to finish everything. But I was crying about the short period they gave us last time. So, the added days, I think is more than one month, two months. So, we have to finish today, I can go. I have to finish. I am thankful for the extension we were given I am very happy, says Kabot.
Meanwhile, the MEC for the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs CoGTA in Mpumalanga, Speedy Mashilo says several spaza shop owners in the province have responded positively to the call to register.
