No need to impose a quota on foreign nationals operating spaza shops - Minister Hlabisa

At this stage, the government is not planning to limit the number of foreign nationals allowed to operate spaza shops in the country. 

This is according to Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, who said that most registrations the government has received from spaza shop owners have been from South Africans. 

During a media briefing on Wednesday, the minister said more than 19,000 people have been approved after they applied for their shops to be registered. 

“Throughout South Africa, 392 registration centres were established in all nine provinces and 42,915 applications were received between November 15 and December 17, to be processed for people applying to operate spaza shops and other food handling outlets,” Hlabisa said. 

Out of the 49,915 applications, 19,386 have been approved. We regard this as considerable progress over 21 days,” he added.

The minister failed to provide any information on how many foreign nations were approved for their spaza shops. 

He argued that there was no need to impose a quota on foreign-owned spaza shops.

"There will be no need to put a quota because there will be no foreign national that is meeting the requirements to run a spaza shop of a food handling outlet," he explained.

The minister said that given the situation, a majority of their stores would likely also be shut down. 

Extending registration deadline

Government recently noted that it would be extending the registration deadline for spaza shop owners.

These owners have another two months to comply with the registration process and have till the end of February 2025 to become compliant. 

“Government has resolved to extend the registration deadline for all spaza shops and other food-handling outlets to February 28, 2025,” Minister Hlabisa said.

 “Prior to the revised deadline of February 28, 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,” he noted.

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