President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed that over 1,000 spaza shops, supermarkets, and warehouses have been shut down since the government implemented measures to combat foodborne illnesses two weeks ago. During his annual address to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday, the President disclosed that nearly 200,000 spaza shops have been inspected in a nationwide crackdown.

“Since we announced a range of measures, multi-disciplinary teams have inspected spaza shops across the country,” said Ramaphosa. “More than 1,000 spaza shops, supermarkets, and warehouses have been closed, large quantities of goods confiscated, and numerous fines issued for by-law violations.”

While acknowledging the vital role of spaza shops and informal traders in the township and rural economies, the President stressed the urgency of ensuring food safety following a wave of foodborne illnesses that have claimed over 22 lives, including children.

“The tragic deaths of several children after consuming food from some of these outlets demanded urgent action to prevent food contamination by hazardous substances, particularly unlawfully sold pesticides,” he said.

In his earlier address to the nation, Ramaphosa outlined measures aimed at removing dangerous pesticides from circulation, safeguarding children, and preventing future outbreaks. These measures included the immediate closure of implicated spaza shops and the enforcement of stricter regulations.

The President also mandated that all spaza shops and food-handling establishments register with their municipalities within 21 days to ensure compliance with safety standards.

This decisive intervention comes as government seeks to strike a balance between protecting public health and supporting the informal sector’s role in the economy.