For Immediate Release: 17 December 2024
Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia expresses serious concern over the government’s continued silence regarding the critical spaza shop registration deadline which is due to expire by the end of tomorrow, 17th December 2024.
Despite a formal request submitted on 04 December 2024 by over 60 civil society organisations, to multiple government ministers—including the President, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and Minister of Small Business Development—no official response has been received. The original barriers persist and have now been worsened by continued lack of accessible registration forms, ongoing intimidation of spaza shop owners, zero clarity on compliance expectations, and potential economic and legal vulnerability for small business owners.
The coalition of more than 60 organisations continues to stand united, representing refugee support networks, human rights groups, migrant worker associations, and community development organizations. The lack of government response threatens to push vulnerable small business owners – whatever their nationality – into informal, unregulated operations, increase economic insecurity for migrant and local entrepreneurs, undermine public health interventions and create further social tension.
KAAX is appealing for an immediate public statement by the President or designated Minister, for an extension of the registration deadline for at least 3 months, as well as protection for spaza shop owners from harassment, and the development of accessible, multilingual registration support.
The government’s silence is not just bureaucratic negligence—it’s a direct threat to the livelihoods of thousands of small business owners who are critical to our local economic ecosystem and will affect food affordability for millions of South Africans who rely on spaza shops. Further, it will result in the increased dominance of corporate food retailers in the township economy – the very opposite of what the government has publicly indicated they want to achieve.
KAAX remains committed to ensuring fair and inclusive processes that protect the rights of all small business owners, regardless of their background or nationality.
The ongoing situation highlights the critical need for responsive, compassionate governance that recognises the challenges faced by small business owners, particularly those from marginalised communities. KAAX continues to advocate for a registration process that is transparent, accessible, and supportive of those working to build their livelihoods.
Contact for Media Inquiries
Mike Ndlovu
media@kaax.org.za
+27 68 552 2510
