New Joburg by-law enforcement team to address flouting of regulations by spaza shops

JOHANNESBURG - A Johannesburg bylaw enforcement team has been formed to address the flouting of regulations by spaza shop owners.

The team, including Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers and city health and safety officials, is set to begin its work in November.

The move is part of the metro’s response to several cases of suspected food poisoning incidents across the city.

On Tuesday, Public Safety MMC Mgcini Tshwaku visited Devland Cash and Carry - a wholesaler in the township, where he inspected products, issued fines, and publicly introduced the new multidisciplinary team.

“But on the first of November, a repurposed and re-energised bylaw unit will be unveiled. because I know all of you have been crying about the bylaw implementation. So, that unit need has now been established. Because you had some bylaws that were deployed in the environmental sector. So everyone has been everywhere. So what we are doing now is centralising everything. People must account on public safety.”