Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has clarified that the deadline for spaza shop registration, as directed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, will expire next Tuesday, not tomorrow.
This comes amid growing frustration from small business owners, who have expressed challenges with the registration process due to municipal red tape. Hlabisa apologized for any confusion caused by earlier miscommunication, explaining that the 21-day period for registration ends on Tuesday, December 17, and not tomorrow.
He further explained that the President's announcement was made on a Friday evening, with the following Monday marking the first working day. Since the public holiday on Monday, December 16, is not counted, the deadline will conclude on Tuesday.