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17 April 2025 Media Release: Blitz Operations Conducted at Spaza Shops in Haarlem

Media Release: Blitz Operations Conducted at Spaza Shops in Haarlem

 17 April 2025

On Wednesday, 9 April 2025, the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) from the Outeniqua region of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) conducted a joint inspection in Haarlem, in conjunction with the Uniondale South African Police Service (SAPS) and Law Enforcement Officers from the George Municipality (Uniondale/ Haarlem).

Three shops were visited and thoroughly inspected.

According to Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel, “the health and safety of our residents remain a top priority for the Garden Route. These joint inspection blitzes are not only essential for enforcing compliance, but also for continuously educating business owners about the importance of maintaining hygienic environments—especially where food is stored, handled, or sold”.

During the joint inspection the following issues were identified:

  • Inadequate pest control (rodent infestation);
  • Animals on the premises (cats inside food area);
  • Structural shortcomings (water leaking through open seams and cracks in the ceiling);
  • Food products not complying with the labelling legislation were dealt with accordingly.

According to Janine Koopman, GRDM EHP, two shops were closed on grounds of non-compliance with the Regulations governing General Hygiene Requirements for Food premises, the Transport of food and Related matters, section 5, sub regulation (3) (a)(i); (c)(ii), (d)(v), and the Garden Route District Municipality Municipal Health By-Laws, PG. No. 8018 of 10 December 2018, Chapter 2 Relating to Health Nuisances, section 6, (4) (a)(b)(c).

Activities during the Joint Inspection in Haarlem

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