Ministers, 

Deputy Ministers, 

MECs, 

House of Traditional Leaders 

President of SALGA, 

Mayors, 

Directors General, 

HODs, 

Municipal Managers, 

Colleagues, 

Good afternoon. 

Today marks 18 days since the Ministry published the Standard Draft By-laws for Township, Village, and Rural Economies (SDBs) in Government Gazette No. 51529. This important initiative is designed to encourage inclusive spatial and economic development within our diverse communities. 2 

This urgent meeting’s purpose is to engage in a constructive discussion regarding the Draft By-laws and develop thoughtful action plans in response to the foodborne incidents that have recently been designated a national disaster. We believe that through open dialogue and collaboration, we can effectively address these challenges and enhance the well-being of our communities. 

The SDBs provide a standardised framework by law to activate Section 27(1) of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA), which advocates for the review and monitoring of land use schemes. 

Individual municipalities are now expected to customise and implement the SDBs in line with Section 14 of the Municipal Systems Act. Municipalities must publish the proposed by-law in a manner that allows the public an opportunity to make representations with regard to the proposed by-law (MSA section 12(3)(b)). In terms of MSA section 13(a), the by-law must be published in the Provincial Gazette and, when feasible, also in a local newspaper or in any other practical way to bring the contents of the by-law to the attention of the local community. 

THE SDB SEEKS TO: 

1. Harmonise the township, village and rural ecosystem and promote law and order 
2. Provide a framework for the establishment and management of formal and informal township, village, and rural-based enterprises. 
3. Raise awareness of applicable laws and regulations affecting township, village and rural businesses; and 
4. Support small businesses in growing and participating in mainstream economic activities. 

THE SDB COVERS: 

1. Designating specific business areas and sites, 
2. Restricting or prohibiting trade in certain areas, 
3. Registering businesses and issuing permits and licences, 
4. Transferring of permits and licences, 
5. Hygiene and waste removal, and 
6. Enforcement, penalties and appeals, amongst others. 

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Each municipality is required to proactively provide management, operational, and skills development support for small businesses in townships, raise awareness of obligations for which compliance is mandatory, and facilitate access to infrastructure and markets. 

PRONOUNCEMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT 

Today marks ten days since the Honourable President Cyril Ramaphosa briefed the nation about food-borne illnesses and deaths, primarily affecting children in township areas. 

In his address, the Honourable President expressed concern over the increasing number of reported cases of severe illness resulting from consuming contaminated food purchased from spaza shops and street vendors. 

Since the beginning of September 2024, over 890 cases of foodborne incidents have been reported. Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal are among the provinces with the highest number of incidents, followed by Limpopo and Free State. Tragically, 22 children have lost their lives in the past few weeks due to these incidents. In response, the Honourable President has pledged that the government will intensify efforts to prevent such tragedies in the future. This can only be accomplished by addressing all the factors that contribute to the problem. 

Some of the problems identified impact municipalities. Poor waste management in several municipalities was said to be creating conditions for rats and other pests to thrive. To resolve this challenge, the poorest communities often utilise the cheapest, most hazardous remedies. Secondly, the local government has a responsibility to deploy environmental health services. 

CABINET RESOLUTIONS 

The Cabinet has resolved on three interventions. The first is to get hazardous pesticides off the streets. The second is to protect children from exposure to hazardous substances and prevent future outbreaks. Effective intervention measures were outlined. 

Municipalities are expected to; 

1. Register businesses within 21 days, effective from 15 November 2024 
2. Immediately ensure the adoption of the SDBs by the Council, and 

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1. Embark on clean-up and proper waste management in areas where spaza shops are located and utilise Community Work Programme (CWP) participants and public employment programmes to drive the clean-up campaigns; and 
2. Constitute interdisciplinary inspection teams 

REGISTRATION OF BUSINESS LICENCES AND PERMITS WITHIN 21DAYS 

The 21-day registration deadline ensures that all Spaza shops have applied for licenses and permits at their local municipalities. After registration, verification and inspection will commence. The verification and inspection process will invariably take longer than 21 days from the registration date. 

This registration process will give the government a clearer picture of the number of formal and informal businesses, including spaza shops, operating or planning to operate within a locality. 

The information will also be used to identify businesses that require both financial and non-financial assistance, including regulatory and compliance requirements as pronounced by the Honourable President. 

INSTITUTIONALISATION OF THE SDBs 

Municipalities are encouraged to adopt the 10-point local government response plan that the Director General will present in this meeting. 

All affected state organs are expected to submit progress reports as required by the National Disaster Management Centre and as outlined in sections 24(4) to (8) of the Act. 

This meeting, therefore, launches the local government’s ten-point plan for implementing the SDBs and curbing foodborne illnesses. 

Effectively, the Ministry has developed a monitoring tool to track the implementation of the ten-point plan. 5 

Municipalities are expected to immediately ensure the clean-up and proper waste management in areas where spaza shops are located and utilise Community Work Programme (CWP) participants and public employment programmes to drive the clean-up campaign. 

As a nation, we cannot afford to lose a single life due to foodborne illnesses. I urge everyone to come together in a collective effort to combat this issue. 

The actions we take today will significantly impact the future of our townships, villages, and rural communities, especially for our children, who are most vulnerable to foodborne illnesses. 

I hope we can move forward with a shared vision and determination. 

Thank you.