Spaza shop owners scramble to meet registration deadline

By Johnathan Paoli

A coalition of organisations under the NGO Kopanang Africa against Xenophobia (KAAX) has criticised what it says is the government’s apathy towards plight of small businessowners regarding Tuesday’s deadline the registration of spaza shops.

KAAX spokesperson Mike Ndlovu said the long queues seen on Tuesday and calls for the registration deadline to be extended highlighted the need for responsive, compassionate government, which recognised the challenges faced by small businessowners.

“The government’s silence is not just bureaucratic negligence, it’s a direct threat to the livelihoods of thousands of small businessowners who are critical to our local economic ecosystems and will affect food affordability for millions of South Africans who rely on spaza shops,” Ndlovu warned.

The coalition is amongst a number of groups of small business organisations that have appealed to President Cyril Ramaphosa for an extension.

It is asking for a three-month extension, protection for shop owners