Tafelsig spaza shops closed over health horrors
SPOTLIGHT: Food hygiene
Image: file
KWAAD Tafelsig residents have welcomed the closure of three spaza shops after City of Cape Town inspectors uncovered shocking hygiene conditions.
According to community leaders expired chicken, mice and cockroaches were found on the premises and they say that desperate families are being put at risk.
The discoveries came after a community member shared on a community group on Tuesday that after they bought bread from a spaza shop they found miggies in the packet.
Concerned mense then took to Facebook saying that something had to be done regarding the hygiene and cleanliness of the stores.
Tafelsig Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Chairperson Vernon Fortune told the Daily Voice that three spaza shops had been closed in the area.
Fortune said: “Two have been closed due to hygiene issues, it is alleged that the guys are sleeping in the shops and not in a separate entrance.
“The latest incident was this Wednesday morning, law enforcement was there and they allegedly found expired chicken that is being sold to the public.”
He said that the issues with spaza shops have been ongoing. But he said that with mense sukkelling to make ends meet with schools opening next week, Fortune said parents are taking risks.
He says: “No one else can help them and these are the guys that are going to help them stay on the bookie till end of January and they might take the bread, but maybe won’t look if it is expired.
Ward Councillor Norman Adonis confirmed that a few shops had been closed since 1 January.
Adonis said: “I am aware that shops are being closed in my ward for non-compliance, mice, cockroaches and health hazards. I have been notified on Tuesday by the health inspectors. When complaints are being logged by community health inspectors, they need to act according to the Act.”
“It was reported that a health inspector had been to a spaza shop on Tuesday giving them 72 hours to close and for time for the store to be reviewed.”
Despite contacting the City for comment, they did not reply before publishing.