By Simon Nare
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has called for a review of laws that allow foreign nationals to operate small businesses like spaza shops.
Mbalula told a media briefing at Luthuli House in Johannesburg that in most countries on the continent, foreign nationals were prohibited from operating SMMEs such as salons and spaza shops.
“As we deal with closure of spaza shops and (the) illegality of spaza shops and the regularity and health situation in terms of goods that are in these spaza shops… over and above that, we believe that those businesses must be preserved for South Africans.
“But over and above that, how do we preserve some of the local businesses? We learn from Africa. I have been to Ghana. Ghana has passed a law where if you want to open a spaza shop or a local barber shop, it is preserved only for Ghanaians. Why is South Africa not learning from those countries?” he asked.
Mbalula said the ANC had implored the Government of National Unity to act swiftly on this matter.
He claimed that there was evidence that foreign nationals were selling expired food in spaza shops in townships and rural areas.
They were able to dominate the market because their goods were cheaper and were imported from other countries, he said.
Mbalula’s call follows a nationwide crisis that has seen the deaths of children and hundreds being admitted to hospital across the country after consuming snacks from spaza shops contaminated by pesticides.
Many have been quick to place the blame on foreign business owners alone. Cabinet revealed this week that of the 1000 businesses recently closed, including wholesalers and warehouses, not all of them were owned by foreign nationals.
Mbalula emphasised that foreign nationals could not exploit South Africa’s generosity and operate outside the law.
He said it was time for foreign nationals who engaged in illegal activities and South Africans who aided and abetted them, whether it was illegal mining or unlawful businesses, to be dealt with.
“Our patience has been overstretched. South Africa’s hospitality must never be mistaken for weakness. Our communities cannot live in fear. The law must be enforced. The time is now,” he said.
“The time has come to enforce compliance more rigorously. We must not falter in ensuring that the laws of the country are fully implemented. This includes ensuring that no illegal immigrants are allowed to operate tuck shops. Those who are legally in the country, they must prove investment in the business of over R5 million as required by the law.”
INSIDE POLITICS
