After the tragic deaths of two boys who ate reportedly poisoned biscuits from a foreign-owned spaza shop in Phiri, Soweto, foreign nationals running spaza shops in the area have come under intensified scrutiny and legal action. As a result, Operation Dudula, a collaborative operation between law enforcement and concerned citizens, led to the arrest of 25 non-local spaza shop owners.
On the evening of October 1, 2023, four children from the Naledi neighbourhood of Soweto became very ill after eating cookies purchased from a foreign-owned spaza shop. This occurrence triggered these actions. Unfortunately, two of the kids have passed away, and the other two are in critical condition at the hospital.
Anger among locals about the lack of regulation and oversight of foreign-owned spaza establishments has snowballed into a political movement. Several non-citizens were apprehended during the crackdown on these spaza establishments, and a fleeing suspect was apprehended by locals.
The community has spoken, and they want these stores permanently shut down. Until the needs of the community are addressed, it seems probable that this will remain a divisive topic. Community members will not rest easy unless they are confident in their personal safety and the safety of their neighbours.
