Blitz on Garden Route Spaza Shops: Ensuring Health and Safety Compliance

In response to a presidential directive, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) have ramped up inspections of spaza shops across the district. This surge in oversight comes as part of a district-wide compliance effort to uphold health and safety standards in food-handling establishments.

The directive, issued earlier in November 2024, mandated all food-handling businesses to register with their local municipalities within 21 days to confirm their adherence to health regulations. The GRDM EHPs, collaborating with municipal law enforcement, firefighters, SAPS, and immigration officials, have been actively checking that both informal and formal food traders meet the necessary standards.

During the recent compliance blitz, several shops were found lacking and faced closures or were issued prohibition notices. Notably, operations on 19 November in Mossel Bay saw four out of eight shops in Brandwag and Ruiterbos closed for non-compliance. Similarly, in George, four establishments were shuttered for operating without a Certificate of Acceptability.

Further enforcement included a workshop on 20 November in Knysna, aiming to clarify the application process for necessary documentation and bringing governmental stakeholders together to educate spaza shop owners. The following day, a collaborative workshop attracted 62 participants, highlighting the community's commitment to understanding and adhering to the legislative requirements.

This intensified scrutiny not only targets adherence to food safety practices but also checks the legal operation basis of business owners, ensuring that all proprietors legally hold their business certificates. GRDM has observed instances where shops, initially compliant, fall below standards or change ownership without proper communication to authorities, leading to potential health risks and legal loopholes.

Looking ahead, GRDM's newly formed district task team plans to continue these unannounced blitzes regularly, emphasizing that non-compliance will result in severe consequences, including immediate closure and potential legal action. These measures reinforce the district's commitment to public health and legal compliance, serving as a stern reminder to all business owners about the importance of maintaining high standards.

Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or non-compliant activities related to food safety to the authorities. As the crackdown continues, GRDM hopes to achieve an environment where public health safety is a guaranteed norm, not just a regulated standard.