Herman Mashaba Demands Action Against Foreign Spaza Shop Owners
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has once again called for spaza shops in South Africa to be exclusively operated by South Africans. Speaking outside the Jabulani Centre offices in Soweto on Wednesday, Mashaba urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to prioritize the concerns of local residents over what he termed "criminality" by foreign nationals.
Mashaba accused undocumented foreign shop owners of selling contaminated and toxic foods and labeled their activities as criminal. He called on the president to take swift action, saying, "Arrest them and make sure that they get the harshest punishment any government can unleash on criminals."
He further demanded the deportation of foreign spaza shop operators, stating that hardworking businesspeople should improve their standards in their home countries. "Send them to their countries. If they are telling themselves that they are hardworking, clever business people, let them go fix their own countries," Mashaba said.
March to Deliver Memorandum of Demands
The ActionSA leader was joined by Members of Parliament, party supporters, and residents in a march to deliver a memorandum of demands to officials. This action follows Ramaphosa's announcement of a 21-day deadline for spaza shop owners to register their businesses with local municipalities.
The march also came in the aftermath of a tragic incident in Naledi, Soweto, where six children died after consuming snacks allegedly purchased from an undocumented foreign-owned spaza shop. To date, more than 23 children are believed to have died after eating toxic snacks bought from local tuck shops.
Spaza4Locals Campaign
As part of its efforts, ActionSA has launched the #Spaza4Locals campaign, spearheaded by Member of Parliament Lerato Ngobeni. The initiative calls for the township economy to be reserved exclusively for South Africans.
Ngobeni expressed concern over the increasing deaths of children due to contaminated snacks and vowed to continue the fight. "Children are dying every day. We are saying as ActionSA, we are not going to allow that," she said.
Community Tensions
The issue has sparked heated debates and protests in communities. Furious residents, along with civic group Operation Dudula, have blocked foreign nationals from registering their businesses and demanded that spaza shops be owned by South African citizens.
Spaza shop owners, including locals, have expressed frustration over the 21-day registration deadline, calling it unrealistic. Tshidi Seloko, a shop owner in Soweto, argued that many cannot afford the costs associated with registration. "He [Ramaphosa] was supposed to give us four months, not 21 days," Seloko said.
The demand for a longer registration period highlights the financial struggles many shop owners face, as they rely on daily earnings to sustain their operations.
Government's Next Steps
As the debate intensifies, the government will need to balance public safety, economic development, and community tensions to address these challenges effectively. While ActionSA continues to push for stricter measures, many are calling for more inclusive solutions that consider the complexities of the township economy.
Mashaba accused undocumented foreign shop owners of selling contaminated and toxic foods and labeled their activities as criminal. He called on the president to take swift action, saying, "Arrest them and make sure that they get the harshest punishment any government can unleash on criminals."
He further demanded the deportation of foreign spaza shop operators, stating that hardworking businesspeople should improve their standards in their home countries. "Send them to their countries. If they are telling themselves that they are hardworking, clever business people, let them go fix their own countries," Mashaba said.
March to Deliver Memorandum of Demands
The ActionSA leader was joined by Members of Parliament, party supporters, and residents in a march to deliver a memorandum of demands to officials. This action follows Ramaphosa's announcement of a 21-day deadline for spaza shop owners to register their businesses with local municipalities.
The march also came in the aftermath of a tragic incident in Naledi, Soweto, where six children died after consuming snacks allegedly purchased from an undocumented foreign-owned spaza shop. To date, more than 23 children are believed to have died after eating toxic snacks bought from local tuck shops.
Spaza4Locals Campaign
As part of its efforts, ActionSA has launched the #Spaza4Locals campaign, spearheaded by Member of Parliament Lerato Ngobeni. The initiative calls for the township economy to be reserved exclusively for South Africans.
Ngobeni expressed concern over the increasing deaths of children due to contaminated snacks and vowed to continue the fight. "Children are dying every day. We are saying as ActionSA, we are not going to allow that," she said.
Community Tensions
The issue has sparked heated debates and protests in communities. Furious residents, along with civic group Operation Dudula, have blocked foreign nationals from registering their businesses and demanded that spaza shops be owned by South African citizens.
Spaza shop owners, including locals, have expressed frustration over the 21-day registration deadline, calling it unrealistic. Tshidi Seloko, a shop owner in Soweto, argued that many cannot afford the costs associated with registration. "He [Ramaphosa] was supposed to give us four months, not 21 days," Seloko said.
The demand for a longer registration period highlights the financial struggles many shop owners face, as they rely on daily earnings to sustain their operations.
Government's Next Steps
As the debate intensifies, the government will need to balance public safety, economic development, and community tensions to address these challenges effectively. While ActionSA continues to push for stricter measures, many are calling for more inclusive solutions that consider the complexities of the township economy.
