IN CONVERSATION WITH TEBOGO MASHILOMPANE
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The Forum for South Africa (FOSA) has given the Minister of Small Business Development until tomorrow, 24 July 2025, to respond to urgent concerns regarding the ongoing operation of illegal spaza shops — particularly in light of tragic incidents involving children who died after consuming unsafe products from these shops.
FOSA, through its legal representative Advocate Matswiki, submitted a formal request to the Minister a month ago, seeking clarity on what concrete measures the Department has implemented to protect communities — especially children — from illegal spaza shop operations. The organisation also requested an explanation as to why these shops continue to operate unchecked, despite well-publicised fatalities.
“As FOSA, we have never distanced ourselves from the fight for justice — especially when the lives of vulnerable children are at stake,” the organisation said in a statement.
FOSA has emphasised that the Department must adopt a proactive approach to this issue, rather than reacting only after harm has occurred. The organisation noted that it had previously raised the matter with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), who then referred them to the Minister of Small Business Development. Despite multiple follow-ups, FOSA has yet to receive any response.
Due to the lack of engagement, FOSA has now set a firm deadline for the Minister to reply by 24 July 2025. Failing that, the organisation has indicated it will pursue legal action, with the intention to hold the Minister personally liable for the deaths of the children involved — as well as for all associated legal costs.
“We believe we have acted reasonably and in good faith,” FOSA said. “Our attempts to engage the Department have been ignored, and the urgency of this matter has clearly not been acknowledged. Therefore, we will now pursue justice through the courts — on behalf of the children who lost their lives.”
FOSA, through its legal representative Advocate Matswiki, submitted a formal request to the Minister a month ago, seeking clarity on what concrete measures the Department has implemented to protect communities — especially children — from illegal spaza shop operations. The organisation also requested an explanation as to why these shops continue to operate unchecked, despite well-publicised fatalities.
“As FOSA, we have never distanced ourselves from the fight for justice — especially when the lives of vulnerable children are at stake,” the organisation said in a statement.
FOSA has emphasised that the Department must adopt a proactive approach to this issue, rather than reacting only after harm has occurred. The organisation noted that it had previously raised the matter with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), who then referred them to the Minister of Small Business Development. Despite multiple follow-ups, FOSA has yet to receive any response.
Due to the lack of engagement, FOSA has now set a firm deadline for the Minister to reply by 24 July 2025. Failing that, the organisation has indicated it will pursue legal action, with the intention to hold the Minister personally liable for the deaths of the children involved — as well as for all associated legal costs.
“We believe we have acted reasonably and in good faith,” FOSA said. “Our attempts to engage the Department have been ignored, and the urgency of this matter has clearly not been acknowledged. Therefore, we will now pursue justice through the courts — on behalf of the children who lost their lives.”
