CITY OF TSHWANE CALLS ON FOOD-HANDLING BUSINESS OWNERS TO COMPLY WITH SPAZA REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS DEADLINE
Sarah Mabotsa
MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning
On 15 November 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation following a number of people becoming severely ill and even dying after eating contaminated food.
The tragic deaths, which included several schoolchildren, were linked to foodborne illnesses and contaminated foodstuffs.
The President issued a directive that “all spaza shops and other food handling facilities must be registered within the municipalities in which they operate” and that any business not registered or that does not meet all health standards and requirements would be closed.
In Tshwane, I thank the more than 4 000 spaza shops and food-handling businesses who have applied for registration so far.
The majority – 54% – of the applications we have received so far are from South African citizens.
We note that it is mainly spaza shops that are applying for registration. I would like to remind business owners that both spaza shops and food-handling businesses must register.
The legislation that governs the sale, manufacture and importation of foodstuffs is the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972).
This act states that a food-handling business is a business that handles food products, ingredients or
meals, such as packaging food for delivery.
Therefore, food-handling businesses include but are not limited to the manufacturers and handlers of foods, such as food processors, bakeries, butcheries, food delivery companies, fast food shops, restaurants, etc.
The registration deadline has been extended to 28 February 2025 to allow spaza shops and food-handling businesses to register.
In Tshwane, the application for registration can be done easily online with a smartphone or computer by going to
www.tinyurl.com/tshwanespaza – https://opendata.tshwane.gov.za/Spazaregister/app-registration.
• Region 1: Speaker’s Office, Soshanguve
• Region 2: Themba Municipal Offices
• Region 3: Middestad Building and Atteridgeville Community Hall
• Region 4: Olievenhoutbosch Business Centre
• Region 5: Rayton Municipal Offices
• Region 6: Mamelodi Municipal Offices
• Region 7: Bronkhorstspruit Municipal Offices
The following documents are required from spaza shops or food-handling businesses during registration:
• Your South African identity documentation, passport or other approved valid identification documentation (such as refugee or asylum status documentation) from the Department of Home Affairs
• Proof of registration with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)
• Copy of title deed, lease agreement or proof of residence
• Affidavit and certified copy of identity document of stand or erf owner if zoned as Residential 5 or appropriate zoning certificate
• Tax clearance certificate (South African Revenue Service (SARS) documents)
• Confirmation letter from your bank of your bank account
• If the business is a restaurant, a copy of the menu is also required
I thank the thousands of applicants who have applied already and call upon the owners of food-handling businesses across Tshwane to ensure that they are registered.
Our aim is to make the city safe for all our residents, including schoolchildren. Please doyour part my ensuring that your business is registered and compliant with the relevant legislation and food-handling regulations.