Mogale City is stepping up efforts to improve compliance among spaza shops across the municipality, with joint inspections and enforcement operations continuing in areas where businesses are found operating without the required approvals.
The municipality’s Business Licensing Section continues to conduct inspections and take enforcement action against non-compliant businesses. Where businesses are found to be operating without the required approvals, enforcement action is taken, while business owners are advised on the requirements they need to meet to operate legally.
However, enforcement alone cannot address the challenge. Some businesses have reopened after being closed for non-compliance, highlighting the importance of cooperation between the municipality, business owners and communities in creating a safer and more responsible trading environment.
When Mogale City identified that only five of the 617 registered spaza shops were fully compliant, it intensified efforts to address compliance gaps across the sector. Since then, 40 cases have been addressed through municipal inspections and joint enforcement operations, demonstrating that progress is already being made.
Since the beginning of the year, Mogale City has conducted joint operations with West Rand District Municipality Environmental Health, the South African Police Service, the Department of Home Affairs and municipal officials from Public Safety, Development Planning and Building Development Management.
The operations, aimed at identifying and addressing various forms of non-compliance, have been conducted in Swaneville, Rietvallei Extensions 2 and 3, Azaadville, Kagiso, Chief Mogale, Munsieville and the Krugersdorp CBD.
A total of 19 spaza shops have been closed for non-compliance, with expired and illicit goods confiscated during the operations. Enforcement operations remain ongoing.
Building-related non-compliance has also been identified as part of the municipality’s efforts to regulate businesses operating from residential and other properties. A total of 21 contravention notices has been issued for matters including unauthorised structural extensions, unlawful land-use activities and structures located over critical municipal infrastructure such as sewer lines.
While the municipality has a responsibility to enforce legislation and municipal by-laws, communities also play an important role in supporting a culture of compliance.
Residents are encouraged to support businesses that meet the required regulatory standards and to check that spaza shops display the necessary documentation before making purchases.
Customers should look for:
- Municipal Trading Licence
- Certificate of Acceptability
Supporting compliant businesses helps encourage responsible trading practices while contributing to a safer retail environment for communities.
Business Licensing Section will continue working with business owners, communities and law-enforcement partners to improve compliance, protect consumers and promote responsible local economic activity.
Every purchase is a choice. Support compliant businesses and help build safer, healthier communities.
RELATED ARTICLES
- Mogale City encourages spaza shop compliance to protect consumers
- R500 Million spaza shop support fund: Apply now
- Deadline for the registration of spaza shop and other food handling outlets
- Sign of relief as minister extends deadline for spaza shop registration
- Dont register spaza shop on the behalf of undocumented foreign nationals
- Mogale City urges owner to register spaza shop