The Gauteng government has unveiled its plan to re-register spaza shops within 21 days, but significant capacity constraints add to store owners' concerns.

Following outrage over the deaths of children from allegedly contaminated spaza shop food items, Gauteng MEC for Economic Development Lebogang Maile convened a media briefing to outline plans to reregister all spaza shops in the province within 21 days on Tuesday, 19 November 2024.

Migrants are often associated with the industry and Maile outlined several requirements for the successful registration of their businesses.

Foreign nationals will be required to provide valid documentation from the Department of Home Affairs, permitting them to operate their businesses.

"We do not have that authority as the province or municipalities," said Maile.

He said the documentation had to be in the form of a valid business visa or work permit. Maile said the eligibility for a business visa is that a foreign national must invest R5-million into an existing business or provide a business plan with evidence of a R5-million capital contribution.

"Foreign nationals may establish a business which is of national interest to South Africa as established in the policy action plan for which there is no minimum capital investment required," said Maile.

He said those employed in the shops must have...