Spazas: residents want complete ban of foreigners

Although the government sees legislation to regulate spaza shops in townships as a way to address illegal activities, the law falls short of expectations from locals who want to own the township economy.

- Eric Naki

Residents hoped the state would not only deal with removal of poisonous substances and ensure businesses operated legally, but expected a ban of foreigners from trading in townships.

They said the new Standard Draft By-Law for Township Economies issued under the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act and signed by Local Government and Cooperative Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa had not gone far enough.

The by-law provides for an unspecified quota of businesses to be operated by foreigners and an unspecified proportion of locals to be employed.

It was not specific on the quota of locals who must operate the businesses.