City defends spaza shop shutdowns

FOLLOWING the shutdown of three spaza shops in Plain earlier this week the City said inspectors found “significant noncompliance” with health regulations during routine inspections.

- KIM SWARTZ

RESIDENTS welcome closure of local spaza shops after inspectors find expired food and unhygienic conditions.

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This follows earlier reports that community leaders in Tafelsig had raised alarm over expired food and poor hygiene conditions at several local shops.

According to the City’s Health Department, the closures took place on January 6 when the City’s Health Department conducted routine inspections at food premises in the area.

They said: “The City’s Health Department routinely inspects premises that sell food as required in terms of national health regulations. During these inspections, significant noncompliance with health standards were observed at three spaza premises in the Mitchells Plain area.”