Tshwane Metro Takes Action Against Non-Compliant Spaza Shops in the North

The Tshwane metro shut down spaza shops in the northern region of Pretoria due to multiple violations on Tuesday to enforce health and hygiene compliance among local businesses.

Metro’s bylaw operation teams visited shops and businesses in the north, where they encountered non-compliant shops in Winternest and Theresa Park.

[WATCH] Our teams have closed one spaza shop in Theresa Park for poor hygiene. The owner sleeps in the same spaza shop along with the goods that are supposed to be sold to our people. @CityTshwane pic.twitter.com/yKKgr5pWmj

— Mayor Cilliers Brink (@tshwane_mayor) October 17, 2023

This oversight visit included inspections to verify the validity of operational licenses and adherence to municipal bylaws. These regulations encompassed general hygiene requirements for food preparation and handling following the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics, and Disinfectants Act (Act 54 of 1972).

The operation had additional objectives, including ensuring:

• Hygienic handling of food on the premises.
• Adequate protection of food and products against spoilage, contamination, insects, or dust.
• Shops or premises maintained cleanliness, met health standards and were adequately ventilated.

Also read: Counterfeit Food Rampant in South African Townships

Mayor Cilliers Brink expressed concern about the conditions in a shop in Theresa Park.

“We found the owner sleeping in the same spaza shop where goods meant for sale to our community are kept,” he stated, deeming the situation unhygienic.

Brink emphasised that the shop’s closure was a safeguard to public health, adding that “food is also being prepared in unsanitary conditions that fail to meet the required standards.”

Reiterating the city’s commitment to law, order, and public safety, Brink disclosed that certain goods had been confiscated for improper storage and expiration.

The spaza shop in Winternest was closed for multiple violations of the relevant act, and the premises were being used for rental purposes, with several medicinal products being sold on-site.

Mayor Brink underscored that these operations and inspections would persist to ensure that all shops provide food that meets the necessary safety standards. He encouraged residents to report misconduct or non-compliance, preventing people from falling ill due to expired, illegal, or unsafe products.

Source: Metro shuts down spaza shops in the north over health and hygiene violations

Also read:

Police Raid Spaza Shops, Detain 18 Foreign Nationals for Illicit Goods

Picture: X / tshwane_mayor

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