This multi-departmental initiative involved the Safety and Security Directorate, Public Health, EDTA, Electricity & Energy, Metro Police, Budget & Treasury, South African Police Services (SAPS), and Immigration Services.
The operation targeted unlawful activities at local spaza shops, leading to the closure of four shops for non-compliance. Authorities discovered counterfeit goods, including rice packaged in plastic bags, coffee, cooking oil, and creams, which posed serious risks to public health. Additionally, officials uncovered illegal electricity connections and improper waste disposal practices within the premises.
Two undocumented immigrants were also detained for residing and working in South Africa without valid documentation.
Executive Mayor Cllr. Babalwa Lobishe emphasized the Municipality’s commitment to ensuring compliance with business laws and safeguarding the well-being of residents. “Operations like these are crucial for protecting our citizens from hazardous products and ensuring that businesses operate within the legal framework. Together, we are building a safer and more compliant city,” she stated.
Over the past few months, more than 250 spaza shops across the metro were inspected, revealing several critical issues. Many of these shops fail to meet regulatory requirements and often operate in spaces without proper municipal zoning rights. They frequently do not comply with health standards, trading in substandard food products, and fail to adhere to formal waste removal requirements. Additionally, some spaza shops rely on illegal electricity connections, while others are run by operators lacking valid immigration documents, using expired documents, or engaging in business activities not permitted under their immigration status.
In line with the municipality’s legal framework, environmental health practitioners conduct daily routine inspections of all food-handling premises, including spaza shops across the city. Additionally, joint operations are conducted weekly within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) through the cooperation of various government departments, including the National Consumer Council, the South African Police Service, the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, and the National Department of Health. To further enhance food safety measures, a food sampling initiative will soon be rolled out to test problematic foodstuffs found in spaza shops, in collaboration with the National Health Laboratory Service – Forensic Section in Cape Town.
This operation demonstrates the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s dedication to fostering a safe, healthy, and lawful environment for all residents.
We urge all spaza shop owners to comply with these regulations by providing safe, quality products and maintaining lawful operations.
We also call on residents to play their part by reporting non-compliant spaza shops to the relevant authorities or law enforcement. Together, we can create a safer, healthier, and more compliant community.
NMB Communications
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