Over 15k tuck shops fail to secure registration in Gauteng, reveals Maile

JOHANNESBURG - Temporary permits will be issued to spaza shop owners awaiting the completion of the township proclamation.

Gauteng’s MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, brought this to light during the province's spaza shop registration briefing on Sunday.

Maile confirmed that more than 4,000 food-handling facilities and tuck shops had successfully registered.

Over 17,600 spaza shops and food handling facilities had applied to register their businesses in the province.

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Shop owners were given three months to ensure compliance with all requirements and health standards.

President Cyril Ramaphosa introduced the registration programme last year to combat the widespread food-borne illnesses that tragically claimed the lives of 21 children countrywide.

During the briefing, Maile revealed that more than 15,000 tuck shops and food-handling facilities were unsuccessful in their applications.

Maile also mentioned that inspection of such establishments would continue despite the passing of the final deadline.