Township business regulations urgently needed: DA

By Johannah Malogadihlare

There are still no regulations in place to govern businesses in Gauteng townships as set out in the Township Economic Development Act (Teda), according to the Democratic Alliance.

This information was revealed in a reply to questions from the party to the Gauteng economic development department.

It said that if the regulations had been published, it would have been much easier to ensure what goods spaza shops were selling in the townships, particularly perishables.

There has been a rise in food poisoning incidents amongst children in the province’s townships following them buying food from spaza shops.

The City of Johannesburg announced on Tuesday a phased approach to shut down illegal spaza shops across the metro.

DA economic development spokesperson Nazley Sharif said on Wednesday that the 

department must gazette regulations for small businesses.

“This is worrying, as the Teda is meant to provide a regulatory framework for how businesses trade in the townships and help township businesses supply goods and services to the government,” Sharif said in a statement.

“Instead of populist rhetoric that will not help