The government has called on all spaza shop owners and food-handling facilities to register their businesses with their respective municipalities before the deadline this Friday.
This follows the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs' declaration of a national disaster in November due to a surge in food-borne illnesses linked to spaza shops. The outbreak has claimed the lives of over 20 children, prompting urgent action to regulate the sector.
Government spokesperson Sithembile Mazaeni emphasized that failure to register would result in severe legal consequences for those operating without authorization.
"Application forms for registration or permits can be obtained either physically at municipal offices or through municipal websites," Mazaeni said. "The registration process takes just one day. However, anyone caught registering a business on behalf of another person will face the full might of the law."
The government’s directive aims to improve food safety standards and prevent further loss of life.