Ethekwini Municipality has stepped up its efforts to implement Spaza Shop registrations.
This is when registration deadline ends on February 28th.
The official period of voluntary compliance has ended, but the city is urging business owners who have not yet registered immediately to be eligible for enforcement action.
The city said it received a stable flow of application. By the deadline, a total of 6,110 applications have been submitted, with approximately 1,562 licenses approved and issued so far.
However, many companies said they have not yet registered.
Mayor Cyril Xaba emphasized that registration is not an option despite the deadline.
“The national registration initiative has officially been closed, but registrations remain open and mandatory. The campaign, which ran from November 28th to February 28th last year, was launched to formalize informal businesses to address food safety and ensure compliance,” Xaba said.
To support business owners, local governments provide ongoing registration services at five regional business license offices. Additionally, monthly compliance and empowerment workshops are held in various wards, providing on-site registration and related information.
“We are committed to helping business owners meet regulatory requirements,” says Xaba.
The city said it will work with Metro Police and other stakeholders to strengthen enforcement and take stricter action against non-compliant businesses.
According to Xaba, those who fail to register can expect penalties.
“Companies that do not comply can expect fines, warnings, and in extreme cases forced closures.
“We've been issued about 395 warnings and fines since last September,” he said.
The municipality said spaza shop owners who have missed the deadline or have not received feedback on their applications can access their nearest local business license offices to help.
You can also contact the License Office on 031 311 4535 or email it. (Email protection)
For face-to-face registration, employers can access the following regional business license offices:
• Embassy Building, Durban CBD (7th floor, 199 Anton Lemvede Street) – 031 311 4535
•Sizakala Center, Winklesprut (9 mayors Mews, Winklesprut) – 031 311 5870
•Sizakara Centre, Pinetown (60 Kings Road, Pinetown Civic Center) – 031 311 6209
•Sizakala Center, Verulam (1st floor, 151 Wick Street, Verulam) – 031 322 1803
•Sizakara Centre, Ntuzuma (Midway Crossing Mall, 5 Ntuzuma Main Road) – 031 311 4387
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