Soweto spaza shop owners rush to meet registration deadline

Hundreds of Soweto residents scrambled on Friday to complete the registration process for their spaza shops, as the deadline set by the government approached.

The government’s crackdown on unregistered spaza shops came into effect in 2024, introducing strict regulations that businesses had to comply with in order to continue operating.

This decision followed a tragic series of incidents in which at least 21 children across South Africa died after allegedly consuming snacks purchased from spaza shops.

Residents Rush to Register at the Last Minute

Despite being given five months to register their businesses, many spaza shop owners in Soweto left the process until the last minute.

As the deadline loomed, residents flocked to the Jabulani Civic Centre, hoping to complete the necessary paperwork before close of business on Friday.

However, some were caught off guard by the requirements, including the registration fee and additional documentation needed.

Shop Owners Face Unexpected Challenges

Local shop owner Nonkululeko Mpendu admitted that she had been aware of the registration process but did not realize there would be financial costs involved.

“I know that it’s been going for months, but I only came today, thinking that I’m going to do this and finish today,” she explained. “Little did I know that I’ve got to bring this money and that I’ve got to bring all these things.”

For some business owners, the registration process proved to be even more complicated due to bureaucratic hurdles.

Mohammed Neo, who owns a spaza shop in Dobsonville, expressed frustration at the zoning certificate requirement, which must be obtained from the local municipality.

“Zoning certificate, you have to get it from your local municipality, but from Dobsonville Civic Centre, you can’t get that. So, they sent us here to get that. It’s a challenge with a lot of things,” he said.

Many shop owners struggled to gather the necessary paperwork, such as business permits, municipal approvals, and hygiene compliance documents.

Government Stands Firm on the Deadline

Despite the chaos and complaints from business owners, the government has made it clear that there will be no further extensions for spaza shop registrations.

Authorities have emphasized that the new regulations are essential for public health and safety, particularly in the wake of the recent deaths of children due to contaminated food products.

Officials have also stressed the importance of compliance, warning that unregistered businesses will face closure if they fail to meet the mandatory requirements.

Why the Crackdown on Spaza Shops?

The registration of spaza shops is part of the government’s broader effort to regulate the informal business sector, ensuring that:
Spaza shops sell safe and quality-controlled products.
Business owners comply with zoning laws and health regulations.
Shops contribute taxes and operate legally within their communities.

Following the tragedy involving the deaths of multiple children, the government intensified inspections, leading to the closure of several non-compliant businesses.

The regulations aim to prevent incidents of expired, unregulated, or harmful food products being sold to the public.

What Happens Next?

Now that the registration period has ended, the next step will involve:
Authorities conducting inspections to ensure full compliance.
The shutdown of unregistered spaza shops.
Enforcement of health and safety measures in existing shops.

For business owners who have missed the deadline, the future remains uncertain, as the government has warned that those who fail to register will not be allowed to operate.

While the strict enforcement has left some shop owners frustrated, many residents support the move, believing it will help ensure safer food products and better business practices in local communities.

The coming weeks and months will reveal the full impact of the crackdown, as authorities begin enforcement efforts and monitor compliance across Soweto.