Spaza shops placed under scrutiny for compliance by Metro

Spaza shops in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCM) were again visited by health inspectors to ensure compliance.

METRO SPAZA SHOPS COMPLY OPERATIONS BACK IN FULL SWING

As part of ensuring that BCM residents comply with health and safety environmental standards, the Buffalo City Metro conducted a raid operation in East London.

Today’s (Thursday, 30 March) raid took place after the City issued notices to the various spaza shops in the Cambridge area that were found not to be compliant.

Also part of the operation was a follow up on a complaint about dogs noise nuisance from the neighbours in the Highgate area where 10 dogs were impounded.

“In terms of Section 5(c) of the BCMM, Noise by-laws L.A Notice No. 122 dated 22 October 2010, no person shall allow an animal owned or controlled by him to cause a noise nuisance.”

Madikizela

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REFLECTION ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

Speaking about the raid, BCM Acting General Manager for Municipal Health Services Luyanda Madikizela said: “Today, we inspected 8 shops and closed down 6 shops in Cambridge because they have not been compliant with all the notices despite the support that we have given them”.

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“The conditions of the shops are filthy and there is a lot of non-compliance. Licenses are not in place, the zonings of the shops are also not legal and there are a whole lot of issues that we are finding which are related terms to the contravention of the bylaws of the municipality,” he added.

“This is also a platform for us to educate and empower the owners on how to comply with the environmental health regulations,” said Madikizela in hinesight.

WHO WAS INVOLVED IN BUFFALO CITY

The multi-stakeholder raid was led by the City’s Municipal Health Services Department and which included the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African Revenue Services (SARS), Metro’s Disaster Management, City Planning division, Business licencing, Engineering roads department, Legal services, South African (SARS), Traffic services, Law enforcement and the South African Police Services (SAPS).

“The City has vowed to continue with these operations and is issuing a warning to spaza shops to comply,” Madikizela concluded.

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