R5m spaza fee 'illegal'

INVESTMENT: REQUIREMENT FOR FOREIGNERS UNLAWFUL, SAYS LAWYER

- Thando Nondywana

The Gauteng municipalities' call for foreign nationals who want to register spaza shops to have a R5 million investment is "unlawful" and "unfair," says a law specialist.

Immigration lawyer at DSD Immigration Attorneys Stefanie de Saude Darbandi questioned the constitutionality of the proposal. She said a R5 million investment was specifically for individuals applying for a business visa under the Immigration Act.

This requirement, she said, was to ensure significant foreign investment into the economy.

"If business owners already possess valid visas or permits that authorize them to operate a business, they are not required to meet this investment threshold," she said.