Slow kick for tuckshop registration

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA – Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality’s registration of spaza shops is in full swing ahead of the 21 days cut-off date announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

However, the exercise is characterised by a low turnout of tuckshop operators.

Spaza shop owners have less than 21 days to re-register their businesses or face closure. This decision, announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday 15 November, follows the deaths of at least 22 children nationwide after they consumed snacks purchased from spaza shops.

According Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality spokesperson Thabo Kessah there are several challenges that they face in implementing the call by President.

“The biggest challenge right now is a low turnout of the tuckshop operators. We expect it to be better with time as the 21 days draw to an end. Also, the owners outsource their buildings to foreigners who do not qualify to run businesses in SA.

The other challenge is the conversion of residential houses into businesses without the plans being approved by the municipality .Such residential buildings must be rezoned into business facilities. These are the key challenges at the moment.

While addressing the council sitting on November 20, 2024 Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality executive mayor Malekula Melato said the municipality has a strategy to implement the President decision and emphasised the need for awareness campaigns.

“We must have campaigns with stakeholders like the South Africa Police Services (SAPS), health department and home affairs but there must be a joint operation. Yes, we have a strategy; in no time our department – LED – will have to develop a programme for ourselves. We also need community members to be part of us.

This after Map 16 civic movement Paratlane Motloung cautioned about limited time for this directive to be implemented. We have to identify tuckshops in Phuthaditjhaba, that is where we are going to start before going to other areas.

“The matter of tuckshop registration must be discussed now ; it cannot wait because 21 days have already started, and we need to know if municipality has strategy to implement this decision.”

For his part, the director – Local Economic Development, Small Business and tourism in Maluti-a-Phofung Godfrey Sipho Tshabalala explained the requirements needed for tuckshop/Spaza registration.

“Both landlords and tuckshop operators are required to report to the municipality with full personal details: gender, disability, identity, physical address and postal address, and trading plan area.

“In addition, a full description of the goods or services authorized to be sold or provide. A distinguishing registration number, citizenship status, passport number, Section 22 (Asylum Seeker permit, Section 24 refugee permit, a valid visa allowing the foreign national to be in the Republic of South Africa to work or conduct business like where company has been registered to trade. The location of the business and supporting documents like where it is registered, and any information that may be required by this by laws or any other law.”

Sharing his experience owner of two tuckshops operating from Debult in Qwaqwa, Shanye Abraham said the process was smooth because he had all required documents, and he is just waiting to hear feedback from the municipality.

“Registration went well because I had the required documents, I am waiting for the municipality to come and inspect my tuckshops.”