Moya stands by her calls for spaza shops in Tshwane to be owned exclusively by South Africans

JOHANNESBURG - Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya said she stood by her calls for spaza shops in the city to be owned exclusively by South Africans, as the metro continues its crackdown on non-compliance.

Moya's controversial stance to exclude foreign nationals from the informal trading sector drew attention last year, with questions about the constitutionality of her calls.

During a public address on her 100 days in office on Tuesday, Moya did not back down.

During an imbizo in Soshanguve last year, Moya was unapologetic about prioritising local business owners and took a non-compromising approach to compliance by spaza shop owners.

Part of this includes an intensified drive to regulate this sector, in a move, she said, was meant to protect public health.

A draft informal trading and township economy by-law has since been approved by council for public consultation.

This by-law proposes stricter licencing requirements, enforces health and safety standards and outlines penalties for non-compliance.

She said the calls for localisation were also meant to address unemployment.

"For those residents who are saying they can start a business so they can put food on the table, this is one of the ways we are doing it so definitely, we stand by it."

Meanwhile, spaza shop owners have until the end of February to register their businesses with the city following a directive by President Cyril Ramaphosa.