The Public Servants Association (PSA) on Monday called for proper regulations and for the appointment of health inspectors to monitor the compliance of spaza shops.

The association urged Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa to prioritise the matter, while calling for the intensification of monitoring to prevent further loss of lives.

The PSA said reported cases must be subjected to investigation and where deliberate foul pay is proven, culprits needed to face the full extent of the law.

The association welcomed the recent announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa regarding the approval of the proclamation to regulate spaza shops across South Africa, noting that this was a significant step in ongoing efforts to enhance the safety, quality, and sustainability of these community businesses.

The PSA said this intervention came at a critical time when South Africa was witnessing an unprecedented spike in food poisoning reports, with 14 fatalities and hundreds of children falling ill.

The association described the situation as a “ticking time bomb” considering the outcry in communities over expired or fake products being sold by spaza shops had been years in the making without adequate government response.

“Whilst spaza shops play an essential role in communities, providing convenient access to goods and services, the non-regulation of these establishments created fertile ground for quick profit at the expense of citizens,” it said.

The PSA said while Ramaphosa attributed the current situation to the “recklessness” of spaza shops as well as “lack of health and safety” measures by these shops, the association felt that he unjustifiably omitted pointing a finger at government for its role in the crisis.