The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Hon. Velenkosini Hlabisa will visit an eight-year-old boy currently hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Media reports suggest that the child fell ill after consuming contaminated snacks purchased from a spaza shop in Mapetla, Soweto. This visit underscores growing concerns about the health risks associated with unregulated food products sold in informal retail outlets.
In response to these concerns, in November 2024, President Cyril Ramaposa issued a directive that all spaza shops and food-handling facilities must register with their respective municipalities.
Spaza shops play a crucial role in local communities, often serving as the primary source of essential goods in underserved areas. Consequently, it is essential that spaza shops be registered, to ensure compliance with food safety regulations, remove hazardous products from the market, protect children, and prevent future outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. The deadline for spaza shop registration was 28 February 2025.
The government remains committed to supporting spaza shop owners, offering financial assistance and educational resources to help them meet health standards. Furthermore, the government is dedicated to ensuring that informal food retailers operate in a manner that benefits their communities while safeguarding public health.
Minister Hlabisa reiterates that CoGTA will continue its collaboration with all stakeholders to improve the safety and regulation of food products sold in spaza shops. These efforts are vital to protect public health and ensure that informal retail outlets operate in accordance with established health and safety guidelines.
