Joburg Officials Accused of Bribery in Spaza Shop Registration Process

Unregistered spaza shop owners in Naledi, Soweto, have accused City of Joburg officials of demanding bribes in exchange for business registration assistance, claiming foreign nationals who paid were prioritised.

The allegations emerged after the registration deadline passed on Friday, February 28. The initiative was introduced as part of efforts to improve food safety following a surge in food poisoning cases, which led to the deaths of more than 20 schoolchildren.

President Cyril Ramaphosa called for the registration process in November last year. However, some local business owners now claim that corruption has tainted the process.

A tuck shop owner from Naledi, speaking anonymously to IOL News, alleged that City of Joburg officials at the Jabulani Civic Centre requested bribes in return for registration assistance.

“There were so many things happening while we were in the queue, hoping to get help. The officials told us they wanted money for cold drinks,” she said.

She further claimed that security guards at the centre confirmed that foreign nationals were paying bribes to speed up the process.

“When you lose hope and ask security guards at the gate about registration, they tell you foreign nationals are paying bribes,” she alleged.

The business owner said that despite not owning a title deed because her husband is still paying off the bond, officials refused to process her registration, allegedly citing her lack of a bribe as the real issue.

“Foreign nationals are holding us back because they have money for bribes, so everything goes smoothly for them,” she claimed.

Another business owner, Tshidi Seloko, also struggled to register her tuck shop. She echoed similar frustrations, saying that foreign nationals were given priority due to bribery.

“Last Friday, my friend, also a tuck shop owner, went for registration and came back empty-handed. She said foreign nationals were being assisted first because they paid bribes,” Seloko alleged.

She added that the government had not done enough to educate local business owners about the required documents.

“They didn’t explain the registration process properly, and now we are struggling,” Seloko said.

Among the required documents are a completed business license application form, zoning certificate, health standards certificate, certified title deed or landlord approval, work permit for foreign nationals, and a tax clearance certificate from SARS.

Seloko also raised concerns over the high registration costs, including R950 for a health certificate and R400 for a fire extinguisher certificate.

She has called on the government to extend the registration period by two months to allow more businesses to comply.

Responding to the allegations, City of Joburg spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane acknowledged the reports of bribery but stated that no evidence had been submitted.

“The allegations of bribery have been circulating since the process began. However, the city has not received any evidence,” Modingoane said.

He explained that submitting an application does not guarantee approval, as several departments oversee different aspects of the process, including zoning, environmental health, and compliance with food safety regulations.

“All applicants follow the same process, whether they are foreign nationals or South African,” he added.

On Sunday, Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, provided an update on the province-wide spaza shop registration.

A total of 17,617 applications were received, including 7,107 from foreign nationals. The City of Joburg recorded the highest number of registrations, while Ekurhuleni had the highest number of foreign applicants at 2,543.

Authorities issued 4,610 certificates of acceptability, which confirm compliance with food safety standards. Of these, 128 were given to foreign nationals.

However, 15,478 businesses were deemed non-compliant, with 498 shut down immediately.

Maile reiterated the government’s commitment to enforcing regulations to ensure food safety while addressing concerns raised by business owners.

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