Spaza shop registration deadline extended – Latest updates here
The government has extended the deadline, giving spaza shop owners until 28 February 2025 to register their businesses.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has announced an extension of the spaza shop registration deadline to 28 February.
Initially, President Cyril Ramaphosa gave spaza shop owners 21 days (which concluded on Tuesday, 17 December) to register their businesses or face closure.
GOVERNMENT EXTENDS DEADLINE TO REGISTER SPAZA SHOPS
Following an increase in cases linked to suspected foodborne illnesses and deaths, in November, Ramaphosa announced the registration of spaza shops as one measure to address the crisis.
The President’s address highlighted a foodborne illness crisis, with over 890 cases and about close to 30 deaths since September.
During a media briefing on Wednesday, 18 December, Hlabisa said that of the 42 915 applications received, only 19 385 were approved.
Hlabisa emphasised the importance of compliance with health regulations, noting that 1 041 non-compliant shops were closed.
“Before the revised deadline of 28 February 2025, government in all its spheres will continue to implement the action plan to address the crisis of foodborne illnesses and the illicit trade of goods across the country,” Hlabisa said.
Further, the minister said those who have registered their businesses and received their acknowledgement of registration still need to undertake a further process to obtain their trading licences.
“For this process, environmental health practitioners and other regulatory authorities will still inspect owners of registered food-related trading businesses to ensure that their businesses are eligible to trade,” he said.
Here’s how you can register your spaza shop.
OVER 13 000 REGISTRATION FORMS ISSUED IN GAUTENG
Meanwhile, Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile confirmed that as of 10 December, 13 616 spaza shops were issued with registration forms and of these, 1 916 have been returned.
Maile said some of the applications returned were incomplete and missing critical supporting documents.
“At present, 2 605 applications have been submitted by non-South African spaza shop owners based on data from the City of Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, West Rand District Municipality (comprising Merafong, Rand West City and Mogale City Local Municipalities), and the Sedibeng District Municipality (comprising Emfuleni, Midvaal and Lesedi Local Municipalities),” Maile said during a briefing in Johannesburg.