JOHANNESBURG - Building inspections are next on the agenda for shop owners, says Gauteng's Finance and Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile.
Maile revealed that many business owners have infrastructure challenges.
He addressed the media on Tuesday in Johannesburg where he gave an update on the plans in place to support spaza shop registrations.
He says because of structural non-compliance local municipalities will be conducting building inspections to ensure shops meet safety standards.
"Most structures used for spaza shops do not meet building control, zoning rights and environmental health standards."
Gauteng has seen hospitalisations and deaths of pupils across townships following the consumption of food products purchased from local spaza shops.
Terbufos, an organophosphate that is used as a pesticide was found to be the cause of death of the children.
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Some of these cases were also witnessed across the country forcing President Cyril Ramaphosa to act.
Ramaphosa issued a directive that all spaza shops and food-handling facilities must register with their respective municipalities within 21 days.
This is to get hazardous pesticides off the street and prevent future outbreaks.
Yielding to this request, Maile urged businesses operating in Gauteng to register over the coming days.
He said the registration process has been simplified to ensure that business owners are not consumed in red tape while simultaneously ensuring that compliance is achieved.
Maile said foreign nationals will be required to provide valid documentation from the Department of Home Affairs authorising them to operate a business in South Africa.