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26 November 2024 Media Release: Blitz operations continued this week with more spaza shops closed

Media Release: Blitz operations continued this week with more spaza shops closed

26 November 2023

Garden Route District Municipality Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) play a vital role in inspecting and monitoring food facilities, businesses, and other premises to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations—one of their many responsibilities.

Earlier this month, the President of the Republic of South Africa issued a directive mandating all spaza shops and food-handling facilities to register with their respective municipalities within 21 days to ensure compliance with regulations. The EHPs of GRDM have been continuously on the ground to check in at informal and formal food traders in collaboration with local municipality Law Enforcement Officers, Waste Management officials, Firefighters, the South African Police Service, National Department of Agriculture and the Department of Home Affairs.

It is important to note that only businesses that meet the required standards for a Certificate of Acceptability can obtain one. Unfortunately, over time, some businesses fail to maintain these standards, which necessitates their closure. There are also various other reasons why businesses are closed by other role players like SAPS, Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters and even Waste Management Officials. In some instances undocumented foreign nationals are found operating shops, although the CoAs were issued to a South African or a legal foreign national. This is because shop owners can change quite frequently, but then Local Municipalities and the GRDM are not informed about it.

The EHPs generally focus on the following key areas:

  • Validity of Certificates of Acceptability, as required under Regulation 638 of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972);
  • If businesses still maintain overall hygiene standards, stock food that is properly labelled, and monitor if shops are selling legal products

Mossel Bay Municipal Health Office

On Tuesday, 19 November 2024, the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from the Mossel Bay Municipal Health Office conducted a joint operation in the settlements of Brandwag and Ruiterbos, located outside Mossel Bay. During the operation, they inspected eight shops, four were closed due to non-compliance.

On Thursday, the EHPs continued their joint operations in the Mossel Bay CBD, Da Nova, Heiderand, and New Sunny Side areas. They inspected seven shops, three of which received Prohibition Notices due to non-compliance, including unhygienic conditions and poor ventilation. Officials from the Mossel Bay Municipality’s Waste Section, Law Enforcement, and SAPS joined the operation.

George Municipal Health Office

On Monday, 18 November 2024, the George EHPs conducted a Blitz Operation in Thembalethu, focusing on Zones 6 and 8. During the operation, seventeen spaza shops were inspected, with four of them closed for operating without a Certificate of Acceptability. This operation was carried out in collaboration with SAPS.

Yesterday, 25 November 2024, the Garden Route District Municipality Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs), in collaboration with George Municipality, the National Department of Agriculture, and the South African Police Services (SAPS), hosted an educational workshop aimed at empowering informal food traders in Thembalethu, George.

Approximately 200 informal food traders attended the session. The workshop included presentations by our EHPs and several key stakeholders involved in regulating informal food trading.

Oudtshoorn Municipal Health Office

GRDM EHPs, in collaboration with SAPS, Oudtshoorn Municipality’s Law Enforcement, and Immigration officials from the Department of Home Affairs, conducted inspections at four spaza shops in the Bongolethu area in Oudtshoorn. Three of the inspected premises were found to be in an acceptable condition, while one shop was temporarily closed due to hygiene issues. A follow-up inspection will be conducted to ensure compliance.

Knysna Municipal Health Office

A Workshop was convened on Wednesday, 20 November 2024, bringing together GRDM EHPs, SAPS and Knysna Municipality (all relevant Directorates). During this engagement, key issues related to the spaza shop and informal food trader business sector were discussed. The primary objective of the meeting was to ensure clarity on the different internal processes within each governmental role player. The goal was to develop a Standard Operating Procedure for business owners to follow when applying for licenses, permits and certificates.

Interactive Spaza Workshop in Knysna

A very successful collaborative workshop was held on Thursday, 21 November 2024, with participation from the following:

  • Owners of individual food warehouses/wholesalers located within the Knysna area
  • Individual spaza shop owners from the Greater Knysna area
  • Management of the Knysna Spaza Shop Committee
  • Garden Route District Municipal Health Services
  • Knysna SAPS
  • Knysna Municipality (all relevant Directorates)

During this event, all governmental stakeholders presented informational sessions to educate the business sector about their respective legislative mandates.

The Municipal Health section emphasized the importance of food safety through a presentation to participants, covering the following key aspects:

  • Health certification
  • The 5 Keys to Food Safety
  • Expired foodstuffs
  • Labelling

The spaza shop business owners were very well represented, with a total of 62 participants attending the information session.

The attendees were equipped with valuable information and knowledge to assist them in applying for the necessary documentation to achieve legislative compliance. However, it was emphasized that, as per the national directive from the President, all spaza shops must comply with the relevant legislation within the prescribed time frame.

Conclusion

A district task team has been established to strengthen enforcement in the district. The team consists of representatives from the Garden Route District Municipality, local municipalities in the district, the Department of Home Affairs, and SAPS. This team will conduct regular, unannounced compliance blitzes across the district. Businesses found violating regulations will face immediate action, including closure and prosecution. The Communication Unit from GRDM is also coordinating content and awareness material relating to food safety to the media, local municipalities, provincial health and GCIS, to name a few.

The public is urged to report any incidents of suspected counterfeit or tampered foodstuff. Contact SAPS or reach out directly to the following GRDM EHPs:

Johan Compion – Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management & Air Quality Control

 Desmond Paulse – Manager: Municipal Health Klein Karoo

 Rinay Cloete – Acting Chief: Municipal Health Mossel Bay

  • E-mail: rinay@gardenroute.gov.za
  • Tel: 044 693 0006 /Cell: 083 630 6108
  • C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay

 Emmy Douglas – Chief: Municipal Health George (Outeniqua)

 Jessica Erasmus – Acting Chief: Municipal Health George (Wilderness)

 James McCarthy – Chief: Municipal Health Knysna (Lakes)

 Gawie Vos – Chief: Municipal Health Bitou (Lakes)

 Haemish Herwels – Chief: Municipal Health Hessequa (Langeberg)

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