Gauteng MEC Responds to Food Poisoning Outcry And Defends Foreign-Owned Spaza Shops

Gauteng MEC of Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, says they cannot simply shut down foreign-owned spaza shops in response to public outcry over food poisoning incidents. The provincial Health Department has documented a total of 203 food poisoning cases between February and September this year, resulting in six fatalities. Maile says foreign-owned shops have introduced unfair competition in the township economy: