GAUTENG residents are fed up with dodgy spaza shops.
Angry Katlehong residents in Ekurhuleni marched to demand action against non-compliant businesses, while authorities in Orange Farm, south of Joburg, also targeted suspected illegal stores, shutting down several operations during a major crackdown on Monday, 25 May.
The twin developments show growing frustration over health and safety violations, undocumented operators and competition concerns as abahlali refuse to remain silent about businesses putting lives at risk.
In Orange Farm's Drieziek area, a multi-disciplinary operation saw law enforcement agencies descend on spaza shops near the transport facility, uncovering serious violations that led to immediate closures.
The South African Police Service (SAPS), Joburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), environmental health services, emergency management services and planning control officials joined forces during inspections after concerns were raised about health, safety and compliance violations.
The raid exposed dangerous practices, including one shop storing multiple gas cylinders, four 48kg bottles, five 9kg bottles and one 3kg bottle, without proper safety measures in place.
Officials warned that large quantities of gas posed a serious threat to the community.
ALSO READ | Man 'killed' over booze skoloto!Opens in new window
At another store, authorities found a foreign national with asylum documentation operating the business while apparently living inside the same premises used as a grocery store.
Environmental health officials also discovered a pet cat inside one grocery store where food is stored and sold, raising hygiene red flags.
Several expired food items were confiscated during the operation, including soft porridge, vegetables, tomato sauce, and Stameta products, among others.
Officials described the sale of expired food as a serious threat to public health and consumer safety.
This comes as Katlehong residents marched to Ramokonopi Police Station demanding that authorities investigate foreign-owned shops and act against operators lacking required documentation.
Community leaders Philani Motlapeng and Thelumusa Motlapeng raised concerns about operators lacking proper immigration and business documentation and called for authorities to intervene on issues affecting local businesses and products being sold in the community.
Abahlali across Gauteng have been encouraged to continue reporting suspicious or non-compliant businesses in their areas to help authorities act quickly against unlawful operations.
