On 15 November 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation following the unfortunate deaths of mainly schoolchildren due to foodborne illnesses. At the top of the government’s intervention list is to get hazardous pesticides off the street and protect children from exposure to these harmful substances.
The President gave directives to all spaza shops and food-handling businesses to be registered within 21 days, for the immediate closure of spaza shops implicated in the deaths and for stricter regulations to protect communities.
In complying with the directive from the President of the Republic of South Africa, the Emalahleni Local Municipality (ELM) is embarking on a wide spaza/tuck shop registration outreach programme to ensure compliance with trading by-laws pertaining to municipal health services, fire safety and town planning in order to protect our communities.
We are calling on all spaza/tuck shops owners and food-handling businesses to take this opportunity to apply for registration at the following regional offices and centres:
Registration venues and dates:
|
DATE |
TIME |
VENUE |
RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL |
|
25/11/2024 to 13/12/2024 |
9H00 – 13H00 |
Emalahleni Local Municipality, Main Building, Third Floor, Environmental and Waste Management Office |
Mr Riba Mr Gumede Ms Motha |
|
25/11/2024 to 13/12/2024 |
9H00 – 13H00 |
Emalahleni Local Municipality, Ogies Office |
Mr Nkosi |
|
25/11/2024 to 13/12/2024 |
9H00 – 13H00 |
Emalahleni Local Municipality, Kriel Office |
Mr Mngomezulu |
Spaza shops and food-handling businesses are expected to meet the following minimum requirements:
- Appropriate zoning certificate or letter of permission from the municipality.
- Affidavit and certified copy of identity document of stand or erf owner.
- Identity document for residents of South Africa or Home Affairs documents for foreigners (certified copies).
- Registration with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).
- Tax clearance certificate (South African Revenue Service (SARS) documents).
- Copy of title deed, lease agreement or proof of residence.
- Menu, in the case of a restaurant.
- List of grocery items (perishable and non-perishable) in case of a spaza/tuck shop.
- Additionally, in terms of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act 13 of 2002), foreign nationals are expected to provide proof of a R5 million investment, in terms of a bank statement, into an existing business in South Africa as well as a business visa.
Further to the registration process, the ELM will licence all qualifying spaza/tuck shops or food-handling businesses and issue them with licences or permits. Consequences for non-compliance include, among others, the confiscation of goods, issuing of fines in terms of the Business Trading Control By-law and Street Trading By-law and closure of businesses.
This initiative is in line with the directive issued by his Excellency President of the Republic of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa on 15 November 2024.
Say NO to Non-Compliance and register your business.