Spaza Shop Owners Scramble To Meet With Registration As Deadline Not Officially Extended

Spaza shop registration scrambles at a last-minute rush, with business owners blaming the government for the confusion and delays in the process. Despite complaints, authorities have ruled out any extension beyond the 28 February cut-off.

Meanwhile, shop owners across the country have voiced their frustrations, citing unclear requirements and inconsistent information. Many have made multiple trips to regional and district offices to piece together the necessary paperwork.

Also, foreign business owners, in particular, have struggled to meet the criteria due to complications in securing title deeds.

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, reiterated the government’s firm stance on compliance.

“Where business owners are found to be non-compliant, the law will be enforced, and this includes fines, arrests, and closures as applicable,” he stated on Friday.

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Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni, hinted at some support for struggling business owners, by providing little detail.

“Please go register your spaza shop, we are closing on the 28th. There is support for those who will be found not to be compliant,” she posted on social media.

In Gauteng, MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, is expected to address the issue over the weekend. His office, however, declined to comment ahead of the scheduled media briefing.

Long queues formed at registration centres such as Jabulani Civic Centre in Soweto on Friday morning. Business owners described the process as “frustrating” due to conflicting information from city officials.

Busisiwe Nhlapho, a shop owner from Dobsonville, successfully completed her registration but said the experience was exhausting.

“The process itself is quick, but getting all the paperwork took months. The most frustrating part is the inconsistent information. One office says a building plan isn’t needed, but another insists it must be approved,” she explained.

Hawkers have also rushed to secure their trading permits, with some hoping the process will protect them from harassment by authorities.

“We just want to be able to sell without hassles. But even after registration, we are told the JMPD still needs to verify us, and we need a letter from the councillor.” he said.

“Many shop owners refuse to give us copies of their ID, which are needed for the process. That makes it very difficult for us,” he said, adding that foreign shop owners are eager to comply with the law but face bureaucratic challenges.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has ruled out any extension, Hlabisa confirmed on Friday. The government insists that regulatory enforcement will continue beyond the deadline.

“Enforcement of the law is not an event; it will continue to ensure the formalisation of the sector and compliance with regulations,” the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on foodborne illnesses and illicit goods stated.

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Authorities also warned that inspections of warehouses and illegal food storage facilities would remain a priority to protect public health.

“Our goal is to help businesses comply while ensuring the safety of citizens,” the IMC added.

As the deadline looms, spaza shop owners and hawkers remain uncertain about the long-term implications of the registration process, with many hoping for further government clarity and support.

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