The City of Johannesburg has shut down several non-compliant spaza shops following a by-law enforcement operation in Drieziek, Orange Farm.
The multi-disciplinary inspection focused on businesses operating around the Drieziek Transport Facility and nearby areas, after concerns were raised about health, safety and compliance violations.
The operation included the South African Police Service, Environmental Health Services, CRUM Region G, Planning Control and Law Enforcement, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, Building Development Management, TDP Security Services, Augmented Field Services and Emergency Management Services.
During the inspection, officials found several serious contraventions.
At one shop, authorities discovered multiple gas cylinders stored on the premises, including four 48kg cylinders, five 9kg cylinders and one 3kg cylinder. Officials raised concerns about the safety risks linked to storing and handling gas cylinders at business premises without the required compliance measures.
At another shop, officials found that the operator had asylum documentation. Inspectors also observed that the person appeared to be living on the same premises used for grocery trading.
Environmental Health officials raised further hygiene concerns after finding a cat inside one of the grocery stores. Animals are not considered suitable in spaces where food is stored and sold to the public.
Officials also found expired food items, including Stameta, vegetables, soft porridge and tomato sauce. The sale of expired food was flagged as a public health and consumer safety risk.
The City said follow-up inspections will be conducted next week to check whether the affected businesses have addressed the contraventions and complied with the relevant by-laws and health regulations.
Residents are encouraged to report suspicious or non-compliant business activities in their communities. The City said community complaints and tip-offs help authorities respond faster to unlawful operations.
