The deadline for spaza shop owners to complete their registration has been extended to 28 February 2025. Food-handling business owners, including spaza shop operators, are now required to submit their completed applications, along with all necessary documentation, at designated customer care centres.
The registration initiative follows the tragic illness and deaths of at least 20 children, who are believed to have consumed contaminated food from spaza shops.
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CogTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, provided an update on the registration process during a media briefing on Wednesday, emphasizing the importance of the initiative to ensure food safety and prevent further incidents.