Gauteng Finance MEC says new spaza shop registrations still allowed

JOHANNESBURG - People interested in opening new spaza shops and food handling facilities can rest assured that the registration process will continue.

Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, announced this during a provincial update on spaza shop registration on Sunday.

He also confirmed that the deadline for existing shops this past Friday.

In 2024, the government implemented strict measures to combat foodborne illnesses that tragically claimed the lives of 21 children.

Shop owners were given three months to register their businesses to ensure compliance with health standards.

On the 28th of February, various centres in Soweto saw hundreds of residents rushing to meet the final deadline.

Maile announced that after several extensions, no further extensions will be granted.

He noted that over 4,000 food handling facilities and tuck shops successfully registered out of 17,617 applicants.

Maile also stated that municipalities will issue temporary permits for those awaiting the completion of the township proclamation.