Latest News & Developments
food and drink regulations
‘He can't speak or breathe on his own,’ says family of boy in ICU after eating snacks from spaza shop
An eight-year-old boy from Soweto remains in critical condition in ICU after consuming snacks from a local spaza shop.
Girl, 8, dies after eating snacks from local house in North West, police investigating
An eight-year-old girl from Ramosadi village in North West has died after allegedly consuming snacks purchased from a local house, while authorities launch a new R500 million fund to support compliant spaza shop owners amidst concerns over food safety and illegal operations.
Internet fame gone wrong: teens arrested for 'urine hotpot' prank
Two teenagers face arrest after a video of their 'urine terror' prank at a renowned Shanghai hotpot restaurant goes viral.
Register your spaza shop in Tshwane to avoid fines and ensure compliance
City of Tshwane urges unregistered spaza shops to comply with regulations to avoid fines, highlighting the importance of compliance for businesses.
‘They want money for cold drink’: Soweto spaza shop owners accuse City of Joburg officials of corruption
Unregistered spaza shop owners from Naledi, Soweto have accused City of Joburg officials of soliciting bribes in exchange for tuck shop registration assistance, with foreign nationals allegedly receiving preferential treatment.
What happens when you ‘buy 1 get 1 free’, but only get one on Uber Eats?
From missing 'buy one get one free' deals to vanishing Valentine's Day deliveries, customers share their mounting frustrations with Uber Eats' automated customer service system.
Gauteng residents battle fly infestation
Residents living in Tshwane, Randburg and Soweto have complained of a fly infestation in recent weeks.
Gauteng province registers over 21,000 spaza shops, foreign nationals making up significant share
Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile has announced that the province has received more than 21,000 applications for spaza shop registration, with an increase coming from foreign nationals.
Over 13,000 spaza shop registration applications received in Gauteng, over 541 spaza shops closed
As the 21 day registration for spaza shop looms, Gauteng MEC of Finance Lebogang Maile has revealed that it has received over R13,000 applications, with over 2,000 of them emanating from foreign nationals.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen applauds efforts to remove misleading 'honey-based' products from shelves
In a joint operation with SAPS, the agriculture department seized thousands of mislabeled "honey-based" syrups.
‘Isolate anyone selling expired food’: Malema demands action over food poisoning crisis
EFF leader Julius Malema criticised the food inspection raids that have been conducted by government officials, mainly targeting spaza shops, and called for them to be conducted in large retail stores.
John Steenhuisen under fire for spaza shop ‘photo opportunity’ amid food poisoning crisis
Netizens flocked to the comment section on his X (Twitter) account, accusing him of a publicity stunt, rather than addressing the rise of food poisoning incidents.
‘It’s disappointing’: Limpopo MEC of Economic Development alarmed at low turn-out of locals to register spaza shops
The Capricorn District business registration centre in the province has received over 300 applicants, with the majority being foreign nationals.
Food safety: City of Cape Town urges use of online tool for Certificates of Acceptability
The City of Cape Town emphasised there is no cost associated with these applications.
Dear spaza shop owner, here are nine steps to register your business
Seven days have passed since President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a notice to spaza shops across the country to register for a traders' permit.
Food vendors back in business: Gauteng education lifts ban of food sales, implement strict rules
Earlier this month, the Gauteng Department of Education suspended food sales in and outside all schools until further notice, due to the rise of food poisoning incidents affecting schoolchildren.
Nine Mossel Bay children rushed to hospital after eating chips from spaza shop
The group of children were experiencing persistent stomach aches after sharing a packet of potato crisps.
‘Where’s the money from?’: Bosa demand answers on R500 million fund aimed at township spazas
Build One South Africa (Bosa) said it welcomed the R500 million initiative aimed at empowering township economies, but raised questions about accountability, transparency, and the risk of mismanagement and the money disappearing.
‘We need four months,’ say Soweto spaza shop owners to Ramaphosa on 21-day registration deadline
Fuming spaza shop owners in Naledi, Soweto blasted the 21-day registration deadline, saying that it is insufficient, arguing they don’t have money for transport to visit the municipal offices.
One dead, 39 infected amid organic carrots E. coli outbreak in US
At least one person has died and 15 more are in hospital following an E. coli outbreak in the United States linked to some organic carrots.
President Ramaphosa cracks the whip on spaza shops: register or shut down!
President Cyril Ramaphosa has given all spaza shops around the country, 21 days to register with the necessary government channels or face closure.
WATCH: President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation on food poisoning deaths
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called a family meeting to address the country on the scourge of food poisoning cases that have claimed mostly youngsters’ lives in SA.
My fellow South Africans: President Cyril Ramaphosa expected to address the nation on food poisoning deaths
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to call a family meeting in the coming days to address the country on the scourge of food poisoning cases that have claimed mostly youngsters’ lives in SA.
WATCH: Locals force shop owner to eat the worm-infested food that he sold to them
A video on social media platform X shows angry community members forcing a food shop owner to eat allegedly worm-infested food that he was serving.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announces new regulations for spaza shops after 23 children died
Following the deaths of 23 children dead from foodborne illness in Gauteng, premier Panyaza Lesufi has introduced new regulations and spaza shop re-registration to tackle toxic chemical contamination and ensure food safety.