Speaking during an imbizo in Soshanguve, Moya firmly stated that spaza shops in Tshwane are designated for South African citizens only. Addressing concerns about potential constitutional violations, she said:
“In Tshwane, the spaza shops are for locals. Now we are in trouble because people are tapping us on the shoulders and saying, ‘But the Constitution says…’ We said we don’t care.”
The audience responded with applause as the mayor justified her stance, pointing to the city’s unemployment rate of 34%.
“We have 34% unemployment in this City—those are our brothers and sisters. I don’t think this is the time to be politically correct,” she said.
Moya emphasized that supporting local entrepreneurs was vital to tackling unemployment and revitalizing the township economy. Her position aligns with ActionSA’s #Spaza4Locals campaign, which aims to empower South African traders by enforcing stricter regulations on informal trading.
The mayor urged residents to prepare themselves to step into the spaza shop business, saying:
“Let’s not chase these people we’ve been chasing for nothing. When we close down the spaza shops, be ready with yours. When you see that we are at that corner, hire the house next to it so that you can start your spaza shop there.”
Tackling Foodborne Illness Crisis
In addition to her comments on spaza shops, Moya announced that Tshwane has activated a disaster operations centre to address rising foodborne illnesses linked to unsafe practices in spaza shops and informal food outlets.
“This activation comes as part of a national call to action to protect public health and prevent further tragedies,” she said, noting that Gauteng has been particularly affected, with at least 22 children dying from foodborne illnesses in recent months.
The centre, activated at Level 2, will oversee a coordinated, multi-departmental response involving the City’s Health Department, Environment and Agriculture Management, Emergency Services, Economic Development and Spatial Planning, Tshwane Metro Police, and Communication teams.
“The centre will ensure swift action to inspect spaza shops, confiscate hazardous substances, and enforce compliance with municipal health and safety regulations,” Moya stated.
Daily situational reports will track inspections, cases, and enforcement actions to promote transparency and monitor progress.
Supporting Informal Traders
Looking beyond enforcement, Moya announced plans to launch an online registration portal for spaza shops and informal traders to simplify compliance processes. Additionally, the City will offer training programs on food safety, digital literacy, and regulatory adherence to support informal traders.
“We recognize the critical role that spaza shops play in Tshwane’s economy and communities. However, the Mayoral executive is unapologetic that we will not compromise on ensuring that all spaza shops comply with the City’s bylaws,” Moya concluded.
This dual focus on regulation and support reflects Tshwane’s efforts to balance public health, economic development, and local empowerment, albeit under contentious circumstances.
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