By Doreen Mokgolo
- ANC Youth League president Collen Malatjie has called for Tshwane residents to shut down some spaza shops following recent food poisoning deaths.
- The call comes after 12 children died from food poisoning in township schools across Naledi, Alexandra and Katlehong in one month.
The ANC Youth League president wants Tshwane residents to close all spaza shops in the city that are not run by South Africans.
Speaking at a mass march to Tshwane House on Friday, Collen Malatjie told hundreds of residents: “On our home, the first thing we must do before we go to your homes, you must close all spaza shops.”
His call comes after 12 children died from food poisoning in Naledi, Alexandra and Katlehong in the past month.
“When you see a spaza shop close it, we don’t want foreign nationals owning spaza shops but for South Africans who are unemployed to own them,” said Malatjie.
“Locals must be given the resources and skills to operate the shops, it cannot be right that with the high unemployment rate small businesses are run by foreign nationals.”
ANC general secretary Fikile Mbalula backed the call, saying the government must control spaza shops better.
“Each spaza shop must be registered according to the laws of this country; small business must be preserved for locals only,” he said.
The ANC also demanded the new city leaders fight corruption and create jobs.
“We want a clear plan of action for the creation of jobs, the municipality must develop a credible plan to mobilise local and international investors,” said Mbalula.
Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya, who received their demands, promised to respond by the end of January.
Pictured above: The ANC protest on Friday.
Source: Doreen Mokgolo
