JOHANNESBURG - The deadline looms for Spaza shop owners, as law enforcement agencies and various government departments in Gauteng, ramp up efforts to enforce city bylaws.
An Integrated Bylaw Enforcement Committee has been formed to enable municipalities, to pool their resources in the fight against crime.
An extended deadline for registration of spaza shops and food handling establishments has been set for the end of February.
This is part of government's response to hundreds of cases of food contamination across the country last year, which claimed the lives of at least 23 children.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has also warned that another deadline extension is unlikely.
To date more than 49,000 applications for spas or shops have been submitted, but only 19,000 have been accepted.
The government has shown leniency and postponed the deadline to the 28th of February 2025.
In the city of Johannesburg alone, 593 applications have been received from foreign nationals compared to Tshwane, where more than 1,819 applications from foreign national business owners have been received.
Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development Lebogang Maile said there is still far much more people who must be encouraged to come out to register
But sometimes people are reluctant to do so because they see this as a burden, which will increase their tax exposure.
At the same time Maile said others think that they are saving when they are not registered for tax and other compliance which is required.
Noting the issues issue stemming from bypassing bylaws Maile said it's not just about introducing more and new bylaws.
Maile maitains that that there are health inspectors, but they are not enough.
Maile maitains that the Department of Health in the province has got inspectors. which are working alongside Departments of Environment and of Health in the municipalities.
eNCA producer, Lee McCabe and co-producer Sonri Naidoo bring you part two of our special feature, Spaza Shop Clampdown.