A Buffalo City Metro special council meeting has resolved to shut down more than 2,000 spaza shops for non-compliance, issues relating to bylaws, and operating without valid licences throughout the Buffalo City region.
The identified business operators were given an ultimatum to voluntarily close their shops or meet all necessary legal requirements as stipulated in the municipal bylaws. Failure to adhere to the municipal bylaws and compliance standards will lead to arrest and prosecution.
Buffalo City Metro has recorded three deaths of children suspected of consuming toxic snacks. Two children died in Mdantsane last month, and one died in Tshatshu village, outside Qonce, earlier this month.
BCM executive mayor Princess Faku led a Safety and Security cluster raid operation on several businesses, mainly spaza shops, operating in Mdantsane, Qonce, and East London CBD on Thursday, 7 November.
The cluster included police, BCM law enforcement, disaster management, health and safety officials, Home Affairs, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), and the Eastern Cape Human Rights and Missing Persons Unit.
The raid resulted in the arrest of 12 spaza shop owners, and over 20 businesses were shut down, including 14 hair salons operating without fire certificates.
BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said the raid operations were vital for enforcing bylaws. “The operation looks into various non-compliance issues, including the conditions of the shops and the type of food being sold. We also look into issues of licences, the zoning of the shops, and a lot of issues related to the contravention of the municipal bylaws,” said Ngwenya.
It was noted that several transgressions related to the selling of counterfeit and expired goods, including drinks, snack chips, pesticides, and pharmaceutical products.
Illegal pharmaceutical products valued at over R800,000 were confiscated during a raid in a shop on Oxford Street in East London CBD last month.
BCM Law Enforcement Regional Commander, Advocate Thembinkosi Mdude, said he was worried about the disturbing trend of children falling ill and losing their lives after consuming alleged expired food products, particularly snack chips.
“While investigations continue, it is clear that we need to take action to prevent further harm. It is crucial to ensure that spaza shops are compliant with regulations,” said Mdude.
