The Buffalo City Metro Safety and Security Cluster is raising alarm against non-compliant businesses which are mushrooming in the area.
The Metro’s Spaza Compliance Operations were in full swing in eQonce, targeting non-compliant businesses last week. Four out of the six inspected shops were closed by the Metro’s Municipal Health Services and Local Economic Development Department for the following transgressions: non-compliance, selling expired foodstuffs, damaged products, no certificate of acceptability, no fire compliance certificate, selling of raw milk, and not having business licences.
The Inland Region Operation focused on areas like Zabalaza, Nyanisweni, and Nomgwadla, where about R2,937.00 worth of food stock was removed and disposed of, and three Prohibition Notices were issued. Three foreign nationals were arrested as illegal immigrants for not being in possession of Asylum Seeker status, and they were referred to Home Affairs (Immigration) for verification.
Metro spokesperson Bongani Fuzile told the Express that shop owners face legal consequences when found to be violating food safety and hygiene regulations, including sleeping on kitchen premises. “The law prohibits shopkeepers or owners from sleeping in their food premises or using such premises for human habitation. In the case of this contravention, a prohibition order is issued by an Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP), which immediately instructs the operator to close the shop until the contravention is corrected. If premises operate with an active prohibition order, an arrest is made through the support of SAPS and law enforcement.”
The operation also noted the illegal selling of alcohol, and alcohol was confiscated with a fine. “Residents are cautioned to be careful when buying alcohol from premises that do not have a liquor licence, as this poses risks of consuming fake or expired alcohol. Premises are expected to display their business and liquor licence certificates, and the name of the establishment should be identifiable outside the venue.”
Fuzile said the Buffalo City Metro is monitoring the long-term compliance of these establishments to ensure this issue does not recur. “The Buffalo City Metro has, over the last three years, established a formidable and committed multi-stakeholder joint operations team comprising various departments in all three spheres of government. This joint operations team is continuing with its work by ensuring that all spaza shops that remain non-compliant with various pieces of legislation are targeted and subsequently closed in order to combat and prevent the sale of expired, counterfeit, and damaged food products to safeguard BCMM communities and people visiting the City.” He said the compliance operations or raids are currently conducted on a weekly basis, targeting different areas within the city to ensure full coverage.
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