22 hours ago

Herman Mashaba Demands Action Against Foreign Spaza Shop Owners

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has once again called for spaza shops in South Africa to be exclusively operated by South Africans. Speaking outside the Jabulani Centre offices in Soweto on Wednesday, Mashaba urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to prioritize the concerns of local residents over what he termed "criminality" by foreign nationals.

Mashaba accused undocumented foreign shop owners of selling contaminated and toxic foods and labeled their activities as criminal. He called on the president to take swift action, saying, "Arrest them and make sure that they get the harshest punishment any government can unleash on criminals."

He further demanded the deportation of foreign spaza shop operators, stating that hardworking businesspeople should improve their standards in their home countries. "Send them to their countries. If they are telling themselves that they are hardworking, clever business people, let them go fix their own countries," Mashaba said.

March to Deliver Memorandum of Demands

The ActionSA leader was joined by Members of Parliament, party supporters, and residents in a march to deliver a memorandum of demands to officials. This action follows Ramaphosa's announcement of a 21-day deadline for spaza shop owners to register their businesses with local municipalities.

The march also came in the aftermath of a tragic incident in Naledi, Soweto, where six children died after consuming snacks allegedly purchased from an undocumented foreign-owned spaza shop. To date, more than 23 children are believed to have died after eating toxic snacks bought from local tuck shops.

Spaza4Locals Campaign

As part of its efforts, ActionSA has launched the #Spaza4Locals campaign, spearheaded by Member of Parliament Lerato Ngobeni. The initiative calls for the township economy to be reserved exclusively for South Africans.

Ngobeni expressed concern over the increasing deaths of children due to contaminated snacks and vowed to continue the fight. "Children are dying every day. We are saying as ActionSA, we are not going to allow that," she said.

Community Tensions

The issue has sparked heated debates and protests in communities. Furious residents, along with civic group Operation Dudula, have blocked foreign nationals from registering their businesses and demanded that spaza shops be owned by South African citizens.

Spaza shop owners, including locals, have expressed frustration over the 21-day registration deadline, calling it unrealistic. Tshidi Seloko, a shop owner in Soweto, argued that many cannot afford the costs associated with registration. "He [Ramaphosa] was supposed to give us four months, not 21 days," Seloko said.

The demand for a longer registration period highlights the financial struggles many shop owners face, as they rely on daily earnings to sustain their operations.

Government's Next Steps

As the debate intensifies, the government will need to balance public safety, economic development, and community tensions to address these challenges effectively. While ActionSA continues to push for stricter measures, many are calling for more inclusive solutions that consider the complexities of the township economy.

22 hours ago

Joburg Mayor Dada Morero Addresses Water Crisis and Office Accommodation Challenges

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has provided an update on the city's pressing issues, including the ongoing water crisis, challenges with office accommodations, and the closure of the Metro Centre.

Morero revealed that the city's water reserves remain critically low at just 40%, a level he described as inadequate for a system of Johannesburg's size. The City is aiming to increase reserves to over 60% to mitigate the risk of sudden water supply interruptions.

In November 2024, the city recorded a 6% reduction in water consumption due to various measures, including scheduled water restrictions, quicker repairs, removal of illegal connections, and improved leak management. However, areas like the Hursthill-2 zone remain under severe strain due to high demand caused by a persistent heatwave.

To address this, the City has been closing reservoir outlets in Brixton and Hursthill at night to rebuild capacity, while deploying water tankers to affected areas. In Midrand, zones like Grand Central and Erand are also facing challenges, with efforts underway to monitor and adjust the system to improve supply.

The South Hills tower system, which ran dry due to high demand, has recovered slightly, and permanent upgrades are in progress. These upgrades include constructing a sump to provide a buffer during bulk supply constraints.

Johannesburg remains under level-1 water restrictions, which prohibit irrigation between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., mandate spray nozzles for hosepipes, and ban the hosing of hard surfaces. The mayor urged residents to comply with these restrictions and reduce water demand while the City addresses water wastage.

Structural Challenges at the Metro Centre

Turning to office accommodation issues, Morero highlighted severe structural problems at the Metro Centre, a 50-year-old building that houses 3,000 employees and serves as a hub for municipal services. The building has been deemed unsafe due to deteriorating infrastructure, including outdated electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.

"Swift action was necessary to prevent exposing City of Johannesburg employees and the public to further danger," Morero said. Maintenance had been neglected, resulting in significant leaks and other safety risks.

The Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), which manages approximately 29,000 properties, oversees the Metro Centre. Of these, 74% are allocated to city services, while 82% of 7,575 properties serve community needs, such as creches, churches, and private parking.

The mayor assured residents that the City is working diligently to address office accommodation challenges, particularly the closure and refurbishment of the Metro Centre.

Moving Forward

Mayor Morero reiterated the City's commitment to resolving the water crisis and addressing infrastructure issues. He called on residents to collaborate by reducing water demand and adhering to restrictions, while the City works on long-term solutions to secure water supply and improve municipal facilities.

22 hours ago

South Africa Cracks Down on Unsafe Food Practices to Protect Public Health

The South African government has launched a decisive campaign to address food safety concerns, particularly in informal markets, amidst rising foodborne illnesses. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on November 15 a series of bold measures to safeguard public health and crack down on unsafe food practices.

As part of the initiative, authorities have inspected nearly 200,000 spaza shops nationwide, shutting down over 1,000 non-compliant businesses, including supermarkets and warehouses. Large quantities of unsafe goods have been confiscated, and businesses found violating municipal by-laws face hefty fines.

President Ramaphosa emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "The health and safety of our citizens is of paramount importance. This is a critical moment for the government to step up and safeguard the well-being of all South Africans."

The campaign addresses widespread concerns over expired, counterfeit, and improperly stored food products, especially in informal markets where oversight has been historically weak. The government is also targeting the entire food supply chain, from manufacturers to pesticide usage, ensuring strict adherence to safety regulations. A specific focus has been placed on monitoring Terbufos, a pesticide under scrutiny, to ensure its safe use.

To support local businesses in meeting compliance requirements, the government has announced a R500 million Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Fund. Administered by the Departments of Small Business Development and Trade, Industry, and Competition, the fund aims to assist township and rural businesses in upgrading their health and safety standards.

A critical registration deadline looms, requiring spaza shops and food handling facilities to register with local municipalities within 21 days of November 15. Failure to comply will result in closures, signaling the government's zero-tolerance approach to non-compliance.

Consumers are urged to play an active role in ensuring food safety. The government encourages South Africans to inspect food labels, check expiry dates, and avoid expired products. A strong push for food safety education, particularly for children, is also underway. Parents are being encouraged to teach children about hygiene and how to examine food labels.

Food producers and vendors are reminded to adhere to strict hygiene practices, including proper food storage, thorough cooking, and maintaining clean preparation areas. The government emphasizes that these measures are essential to prevent foodborne illnesses.

To combat counterfeit and expired food sales, the National Consumer Commission has established a dedicated hotline (012 065 1940) for reporting violations. The commission urges citizens to report unsafe food products, emphasizing the importance of community participation in ensuring consumer safety.

This comprehensive approach highlights the government's commitment to improving food safety and protecting the well-being of South Africans while fostering a culture of compliance and accountability in the food industry.

22 hours ago

Gayton McKenzie Defends PA's Stance Amid Criticism Over SA-Nigeria Trade Ties

Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie has reaffirmed his party's stance on undocumented foreigners, maintaining that their "Mabahambe" mission, which calls for the deportation of undocumented immigrants, remains unchanged. His statement follows criticism over his perceived silence regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent decision to strengthen trade relations between South Africa and Nigeria.

Responding to the backlash, McKenzie addressed critics on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. He defended the PA's role in the Government of National Unity (GNU), stating that while the party disagrees with certain decisions, it remains committed to pursuing its objectives from within the coalition. He dismissed calls for the PA to distance itself from the GNU, emphasizing the importance of unity and resilience, adding that abandoning the coalition over disagreements would be immature.

McKenzie also highlighted the influence his party has had in shaping government policies, even if progress has been slower than anticipated. He stressed that the PA remains focused on its goals, particularly its mission to address issues related to immigration, and that disagreements within the GNU would not derail their broader objectives.

The controversy arose after President Ramaphosa announced measures to strengthen economic and trade relations with Nigeria during a meeting with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Cape Town. Ramaphosa outlined initiatives aimed at simplifying travel and trade, including the introduction of five-year multiple-entry visas for eligible Nigerian businesspeople and a streamlined visa process for tourists. He framed these changes as efforts to foster investment and create a more business-friendly environment in South Africa, emphasizing the importance of attracting Nigerian companies to invest in the country.

There was some confusion regarding the visa policy, with claims that Nigerian applicants no longer needed to submit their original passports. However, the Presidency later clarified that certified copies of passports are required, not original documents.

The trade announcement and visa reforms have sparked a divisive debate in South Africa. While some see the measures as a step towards strengthening economic ties with Nigeria, others argue that prioritizing foreign investors undermines the pressing economic challenges faced by local businesses. McKenzie reiterated that despite disagreements with specific policies, the Patriotic Alliance remains steadfast in its mission, balancing its role within the GNU with its commitment to advocating for stricter immigration controls.