Spaza up-charges anger residents

Spaza shops have long been a vital part of communities, providing affordable and convenient access to everyday goods. But recent reports from consumers reveal a troubling trend: many spaza shops are allegedly charging excessive card-payment surcharges, in some cases as high as R5 per item, a practice that is unlawful under South Africa's Consumer Protection Act (CPA).

- NAMHLA MONAKALI

At the heart of this issue is Section 23 of the Act, which clearly states all prices must be displayed and honoured at checkout. Importantly, it prohibits suppliers and merchants from charging any additional surcharges at the point of sale.

Liaquat (Lee) Soobrathi, ombudsman for Consumer Goods and Services, emphasises: “As a supplier or merchant one is not allowed to charge a surcharge. This is not allowed in South Africa.”

He urged consumers to report such violations, adding “the more complaints we receive the easier it is to identify a pattern. Once trends emerge we investigate the practices behind them.”

For many South Africans spaza shops are more than just shops; they are often family-run and deeply embedded in the local economy. Yet the introduction of these unlawful fees has left many feeling exploited.

A resident of Samora Machel voiced a common frustration: “It’s not about the R5. It’s the principle. We're already struggling to put food on the table, and now we're being penalised just for using a card.”