 | Drakenstein Municipality reminds outstanding spaza shop owners to register before 28 Feb ‘25
20 December 2024 | Press Releases |
20 December 2024
Drakenstein Municipality is appealing to owners of spaza shops and other food-handling outlets in the municipal area, who have not yet adhered to the government’s call to register their businesses, to do so before the new extended deadline of 28 February 2025.
This follows the announcement by Velenkosini Hlabisa, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, on Wednesday, 18 December 2024, that the deadline for registrations had been extended. The 21-day period directed on 15 November 2024 by the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, for registering all spaza shops and other food-handling outlets ended on Tuesday, 17 December 2024.
The Minister provided an update regarding government’s work in implementing the action plan to address the challenges arising from food-borne illnesses. In the address to the nation following the deaths of children due to food-borne illnesses, among measures adopted by the government, President Ramaphosa outlined a key compliance intervention on the regulation of spaza shops.
The President directed that all spaza shops and other food-handling facilities must be registered within the municipalities in which they operate within 21 days from the date of his address and that any shop that is not registered within 21 days and does not meet all health standards and requirements is closed.
According to a government statement, in considering whether or not to extend the registration deadline, the government considers its commitment to supporting small businesses, prioritising health and safety, ensuring inclusivity and fairness, and maintaining its integrity.
Prior to the revised deadline of 28 February 2025, the government in all its spheres will continue to implement the action plan to address the crisis of food-borne illnesses and the illicit trade of goods across the country. A collaborative operational plan involving SARS Customs, the Border Management Authority (BMA), and the Department of Agriculture will be rolled out during the festive season. The plan will target high-risk activities and strengthen enforcement. Joint law enforcement operations underscore the government’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring food safety, particularly during the busy festive period.
Drakenstein Municipality says that even if spaza or house shop owners still have some outstanding information which they cannot supply immediately, they should please come and register their shops to ensure they comply with the President’s request.
They can do so by submitting their applications to the Municipality’s Land Development Management Division, located on the third floor of the Paarl Civic Centre, Berg River Boulevard, Paarl, daily between daily 8:00 and 16:45 and between 8:00 and 15:30 on Fridays.
The Municipality further reminds owners to please bear in mind that its offices will be closed from 24 December 2024 for the festive season period and reopen on Thursday, 2 January 2025.
Audio Clips
Drakenstein Spaza Shop - English
Drakenstein Spaza Shop - Afrikaans
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Issued by: Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality
For media enquiries, contact: Riana Geldenhuys, Manager: Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality, on 021 807 6390, 082 460 5554 or rianag@drakenstein.gov.za.
