MEDIA RELEASE
TO: All media
ATTENTION: Editors and journalists
ISSUED: Friday, 28 February 2025
RE: Deadline for registration period of spaza shops and other food handling outlets
On 18 December 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa extended the registration period deadline for all spaza shops and other food handling outlets to 28 February 2025. However, the end of the registration period does not in any way suggest that the foodborne illness challenges have been fully addressed as more work still needs to be done to ensure that this sector is fully regulated and adheres to applicable legislation and health regulations. A lot still needs to be done in the value chain of business registration and compliance processes. This includes a sustained campaign on multi-disciplinary enforcement interventions, continued awareness campaigns, support and training for business owners, and regular sustainable nationwide cleanup campaigns to deal with the challenges of waste management across the country.
The legal requirements and importance of registration
Business owners are once again urged to adhere to all the applicable legal requirements relating to the registration and ownership of a business in South Africa – compliance is not a once-off matter upon registration but rather continuous throughout the life cycle of the business. In addition to the requirements prescribed in the Businesses Act 71 of 1971, and municipal by-laws related to conducting a business, business owners must comply with the requirements of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) (Immigration Act) as administered by the Department of Home Affairs.
During the registration drive, Mogale City has noted with concern, incidents of fronting by illegal foreign nationals and in most instances aided by local business owners, landlords and ordinary members of the public. It must be emphasised that this practice is a punishable criminal offence in terms of Section 42 of the Immigration Act which prohibits anyone, South African or foreigners from aiding, assisting and abetting illegal foreigners in any way, including registering a business on their behalf. Foreigners who are legally in the country either through a valid asylum, visa or permanent resident status are also obliged to abide by the terms and conditions of their status in terms of the said Act.
Multi-disciplinary enforcement interventions and compliance with health regulations
Eligible business owners must take note that registration alone does not mean that a business is eligible to trade. To obtain a licence or a permit to trade in food handling, business owners must also comply with all health regulations and municipal by-laws related to conducting such a business. It must be noted that there will be zero tolerance for non-compliance with health, environmental and food handling regulations and other requirements, even as government has allowed time for others to f a) register their applications and b) have their final business licenses issued.
The message is therefore clear, where a business does not comply with health, environmental and food handling regulations and other requirements, they will not be allowed to trade. This will apply for both registered and non-registered businesses. To monitor and ensure continued compliance, multi-disciplinary enforcement interventions will continue to be undertaken by Law Enforcement Agencies and Environmental Health Inspectors on both registered and unregistered establishments in terms of the existing legal and regulatory framework. These interventions help ensure that areas where such businesses are conducted are free from the use of harmful, hazardous and dangerous pesticides including other banned chemicals.
Post 28 February 2025
To curb foodborne illnesses, Mogale City will also be embarking on cleanup initiatives which will ensure that waste is managed in a safe and secure manner. It is well known that poor waste management practices create conditions for infestation of rodents, cockroaches and other illness carrying pests which necessitate the increased use of harmful restricted or banned chemicals and pesticides. In the same breath, the municipality calls upon all citizens to play their part in ensuring that they properly dispose of waste and foster a culture of cleanliness in their neighbourhoods. Everyone can play their part by working together to clear litter and rubble that threatens our efforts to build a healthy South Africa.
During the registration period, it was observed that some spaza shop owners and food handlers did not have adequate information and knowledge regarding issues of compliance with health and safety requirements for running a business. This is also true regarding compliance with municipal by-laws and other requirements regarding the registration of their business establishments. In this regard, the municipality will partner with the Department of Small Business Development and other entities in the business development and support industry to roll-out a training and support programme to assist all eligible owners to comply with these requirements. This programme will continue beyond the 28 February 2025 deadline to ensure that business owners comply with the legal and regulatory requirements.
Conclusion
Mogale City wishes to thank all those who have taken the time to register their businesses and urge those who are still to register to do so urgently as this is an important step in ensuring that these businesses uphold dignity, protect the human lives of the public they serve in which they derive their livelihoods from.
REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS. BE A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN.
Ends.
Issued by Mogale City Communications Division