A rew report by the Public Protector has found that a significant number of spaza shops in Gauteng are registered in the names of South Africa citizens but are actually owned by foreign nationals.
The report, which was made public on Friday raises concerns over citizens aiding and abetting unlawful activities in the informal trading sector.
It also highlights that of the 12,000 registered stores in Gauteng, at least 56% of them are owned by immigrants.
Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka said that the figures indicate that the sector is increasingly being dominated by foreign nationals.
“Notwithstanding these demographic figures, which point towards an industry/business sector Being taken over by foreign nationals, a foursquare reading of the SCA judgment in Somali Association of South Africa v Limpopo department of economic development, environment and Tourism indicates that no identifiable law prohibits refugees and asylum seekers from operating Spaza shops in South Africa.”
Alpha Ramushwana
www.ewn.co.za
