The Limpopo Department of Economic Development has acknowledged complaints from food outlet owners, including spaza shop operators, who claim they were unable to meet last Friday’s business registration deadline due to high levies charged by municipal officials and traditional leaders for recommendation letters.
Zaid Kalla, spokesperson for the department, confirmed that the issue of levies imposed by traditional leaders has been referred to the House of Traditional Leaders for further attention. The department has also escalated the matter to the ministerial task team overseeing spaza shops.
Kalla explained that the situation involves disputes between applicants and their traditional authorities, particularly in rural areas and townships. He noted that the issue was communicated to the House of Traditional Leaders on December 9, 2024, and further escalated to the ministerial task team for resolution. The department hopes a compromise can be reached between the affected business owners and their traditional authorities.