Health inspectors from municipalities in the Overberg have joined forces with the police, law enforcement officers and other departments to make food-safety compliance visits to so-called spaza shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This follows a spate of incidents across the country of people, mostly children, falling ill or dying of food poisoning, allegedly after consuming food or snacks that possibly had been contaminated by pesticides bought at these shops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on 15 November that all food premises were instructed to comply with food safety regulations or face being closed down. In addition, he ordered all spaza shops and food-handling facilities to register with their municipalities by 13 December 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Overberg District Municipality\u2019s Health Services Department has confirmed that no such incidents involving people falling ill after eating products bought at spaza shops have been reported in the Overberg district. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Food safety blitzes carried out by health inspectors from the Overberg District Municipality, local police, municipal law enforcement officials, and town planning departments from the local municipalities were rolled out in the Cape Agulhas, Theewaterskloof and Overstrand municipal areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overstrand Municipal Manager Dean O\u2019Neill explained that the blitzes will focus on compliance certifications, food product safety, hazardous substances and town planning regulations. He added: \u201cThe approach is preventative, aiming to protect customers, especially children, from exposure to harmful substances and to prevent future outbreaks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gurswin Prins, spokesperson for the Cape Agulhas Municipality, stated that these operations were conducted under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act 54 of 1972) and the National Health Act, which make it a criminal offence to sell unsafe or expired food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the key focus areas of these operations was to ensure all spaza shops have a valid Certificate of Acceptability \u2013 a permit issued by the local authority confirming compliance with hygiene regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The multi-disciplinary task teams also checked for expired, improperly labelled, or counterfeit goods, enforcing municipal bylaws to maintain public health and safety, inspecting business and worker permits to ensure full compliance with immigration and licensing regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeveral shops were issued notices of non-compliance, with some temporarily closed until health standards were met,\u201d said Prins. \u201cUnsound and expired products were confiscated and a number of undocumented foreign nationals were arrested for immigration violations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joint operations by the police, Department of Home Affairs, Overberg District Municipality, Law Enforcement and Theewaterskloof Waste Management have already led to the confiscation of expired food products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of these operations, fines to the value of more that R10 000 have been issued, more than 11 spaza shops have already been inspected and at least five shops have been closed due to unhygienic conditions, structural defects and trading without a valid Certificate of Acceptability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Food products that were unlabelled, expired, damaged and spoilt were voluntarily surrendered by businesses for safe disposal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The municipality stated that these operations will continue until 16 December and will be policed strictly with zero-tolerance towards non-compliant businesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMoving forward, the municipality will intensify efforts to support legal and safe business operations while holding non-compliant businesses accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Residents are encouraged to report expired food items or businesses operating unsafely to their nearest police station, ward councillor or the TWK municipality\u2019s toll-free Customer Contact Centre on 080 021 4730. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Business owners in the TWK area should contact their local office during office hours or visit https:\/\/twk.gov.za\/business-licenses\/ for the necessary documents to register the business by 16 December. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For additional information or assistance with registration in the TWK area you can also send an email to business.licences@twk.gov.za <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The completed permit application should include the business owner\u2019s full name, surname, gender, identity number and citizenship status as well as important information about the business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe municipality may conduct background checks on applicants, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, to verify the legality of their business activities,\u201d O\u2019Neill stated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter the application has satisfied all the conditions stated by the municipality, the business owner will be issued a registration card or permit that must be always displayed and be available for inspection.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Theewaterskloof Executive Mayor Lincoln de Bruyn emphasised the importance of community and business collaboration in addressing these challenges. \u201cOur informal sector is a cornerstone of the local economy, but it is crucial that these businesses operate within the law and adhere to food safety regulations. Expired food and unhygienic practices pose a direct threat to the health of our residents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe urge business owners to act responsibly by registering their businesses and ensuring compliance before the deadline set by President Cyril Ramaphosa.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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