THE Capricorn District Municipality Mayor Mamedupi Teffo has declared war against spaza shops selling expired food to residents.
Teffo is engaged in ongoing food safety operations under the theme: “Accelerate Action Together Safe Food - Saves Life” to deal with the challenge.
Along with police, Home Affairs and the economic development, environment and tourism departments, they raided various spaza shops in Mmotong wa Perekisi outside Polokwane in Limpopo on Wednesday, 8 November, to check if they comply with the food safety regulations.
She said they had to act as the country is currently facing a problem of food poisoning, alleged to be mainly from the sale of expired food from spaza shops.
Teffo said some spaza shops were found to be selling food items not fit for human consumption and were shut down, and the food items were confiscated.
“Some didn't have a Certificate of Acceptability and were shut down. It is disappointing that others were found to be using the same spaza shops as their accommodation facility. They were also given fines,” she said.
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Teffo said the operations happen as the festive season nears, which brings a risk of disease outbreaks in the food industry that could affect the communities.
"We are doing this to educate our community about the importance of checking items when they buy them from shops. Always make sure the food you buy is safe for consumption because prevention is better than cure,” said Teffo.
The operations come as members of the Seshego Community Against Crime and Gangsterism (Scagag) have already started with their raids.
They have already visited spaza shops in Seshego outside Polokwane. Scagag chairman Vincent Kunutu said they have shut down over 20 spaza shops owned by foreign nationals.
“What is frustrating is that the spaza shop owners continue to operate once we have moved to other areas. We are urging our residents to keep an eye and alert us of those who reopen their shops after we shut them down so that we can deal with them,” said Kunutu.
