AVBOB celebrates a milestone by rewarding its members on a large scale
JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance allege that Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile did not consult with them
This is despite other parties in the provincial legislature being consulted
they say they will not vote for the budget
The party's Ruhan Robinson says that they will go back and study the budget
READ: Gauteng govt to pay R20bn towards E-toll debt
Robinson also stated that they are concerned about the R5 billion that is allocated to settle e-toll debt
Provincial party leader Solly Msimanga says that the ruling party is very arrogant
He says that they should understand that they are running a minority government and should have done more consultations
then they should say who they tried to engage," he says
Msimanga says the party are the ones who reached out
Maile says the DA should be asked whether they were interested in participating in the budget
"They were not interested and we have said
and we are on record to have said we are talking to all of the political parties and are prepared to engage with anyone," he says
Maile says the DA in Gauteng made it clear that they will not work with the ANC and will oppose everything they are coming up with
Maile says there is still going to be a budget vote
so the party is welcome to put in their input
READ: Service Delivery | Joburg working towards urban renewal
Maile says work is underway to fix traffic lights in the province. These include fixing potholes and ensuring that other services are delivered to communities.
"The province will act decisively with departments that are underspending," he says.
To combat corruption, the Finance MEC says they are digitising their invoicing system. This is to combat human interference and corruption.
JOHANNESBURG - Senior African National Congress (ANC) Gauteng member Lebogang Maile said the party’s Secretary General (SG)
was not referring to him when he spoke about ill-discipline within the organisation
Mbalula said the party would act against ANC members who post social media content at 2am
ALSO READ: Mbalula confirms 'political Casanova' Yengeni to be charged by ANC for ill-discipline
On Sunday, at around 2am, Maile posted on social media platform X about people who seek to destroy the ANC intentionally.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Maile said Mbalula’s comments were not directed at him.
“The SG of the ANC is correct to talk about discipline. There must be discipline. What kind of organisation doesn’t have discipline? There shouldn’t be any member of the ANC who speaks out of turn, who contradicts the policies of the ANC, [and the] code of conduct of the ANC.”
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Gauteng's Acting MEC for Human Settlements Lebogang Maile is this morning expected to visit Cemetery View informal settlement following a fire that destroyed shacks in Pretoria East.“MEC Maile will use the visit to outline government's interventions to assist those affected
More than 2000 shacks were engulfed by the fire
MEC Maile is undertaking this important visit to ensure the safety
security and comfort of those affected by this unfortunate situation,” said the Gauteng Provincial government on Monday.The MEC will be joined by the City of Tshwane MMC for Human Settlements
councillor Ofentse Madzebatela.This as the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department responded to multiple shacks on fire in Woodlake Street in Pretorious Park on the morning of 21 September 2024.“The multiple-shack fire was reported to the City of Tshwane Emergency Call Centre at about 04:07 am
The centre immediately dispatched multiple firefighting resources from Silverton Fire Station
Centurion Fire Station and Heuweloord Fire Station to the scene
Another female patient with a critical medical condition was also treated on-site and transported to Mamelodi Hospital
A third patient sadly suffered fatal burn injuries
Gauteng Provincial Government Emergency Medical Services are managing all emergencies pertaining to patients in this regard,” said the city.The cause of the fire had not been determined.“The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and the scene is a declared as a hot zone and a crime scene.”
The city urged residents to be cautious and to extinguish paraffin fires with sand or a fire extinguisher and to never overload electrical plugs
General Enquiries newsfiles@gcis.gov.za Tel: 012 473 0213Editor Roze Britz roze@gcis.gov.za
News Editor Janine Arcangeli janine@gcis.gov.zaEditor-in-Chief Zanele Mngadizanelemngadi@gcis.gov.za
Gauteng MEC for finance and economic development Lebogang Maile says talks of him being the de facto premier are old attempts by wedge drivers to pit him against incumbent Panyaza Lesufi
Maile revealed that such attempts started at the provincial ANC elective conference in 2022
But when former premier David Makhura left office
some tried to force him to contest Lesufi for the job but he rejected the lobby
Maile was speaking to Sunday World Engage in a wide-ranging interview including his plans to turn around the province’s fortunes as the man in charge of the purse
serving was not about occupying -certain positions for him but the pleasure of serving in whatever capacity with a collective
“The reason for that [branding me as de facto premier] is because they were expecting that I must perpetuate a battle with comrade Panyaza
we contested and I lost at the ANC provincial conference
He is the chair and premier and I rally behind him,” said Maile
“So there was talk that the people who I worked with in the ANC conference were a majority in the PEC (provincial executive committee)
after conference when comrade Makhura left
they wanted us to go for popular vote and prevent comrade Panyaza from being premier
saying I instead must be the premier,” he went on
So if I believed that nonsense that I am the power behind this or that I would have agreed to that
which would have caused serious problems in the ANC,” Maile said
adding that he was working well with Lesufi
He explained his priorities for the current term as MEC
a position in which he was appointed following the May 29 elections
Maile said his top priority was to make the province an attractive investor destination with a target to bring R500-billion worth of investments by 2027
energy and infrastructure challenges was paramount for those were the foundation for attracting investment
“We had to first make sure that we meet with the important players in the economy because you cannot make an impact on the economy when you do not meet the people who run the economy
“We have met the governor of the SA Reserve Bank and we are happy with the good discussion
We have met -CEOs of banks and CEOs of other companies and we have interacted with our colleagues at municipalities
both from finance and economic development.”
Maile said he was hard at work with his team putting together an economic development plan for the province
which will be the guiding blueprint for the work of his department until 2029
The MEC said he would also be going big on implementing strategies to curb corruption by
digitalising the tender systems to limit human interaction
which he believes is the main source of graft in supply processes
To end this he was going to introduce standardisation of pricing in all provincial departments wherein departments will pay a standard price for the same goods and services procured instead of the current regime where each department decides independently
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JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng MEC for Finance Lebogang Maile will deliver the provincial budget on Tuesday.
It was initially supposed to be tabled earlier in March but was delayed after the postponement of the national budget.
Among the national budget proposals presented to Parliament is the division of revenue bills, which determines how much money provinces are allocated from the National Treasury.
The provincial budget in 2025 comes at a time when the National Treasury is urging government entities to tighten their belts.
The Gauteng government has already suffered the impact of cuts.
In 2024, it had to let over 1,000 assistant teachers go due to a freeze on funding from the National Treasury.
At the same time, the Gauteng government is also under pressure to keep up with its multibillion-dollar payment plan to settle its e-toll debt.
Opposition parties in the province have urged the provincial government to focus its budget for improving infrastructure, education and health.
Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC
has announced that the province will invest R36.6-billion in infrastructure development over the next three years
Maile delivered the provincial budget speech at the Gauteng Legislature on Tuesday
while 12 653 jobs will be created on road and infrastructure projects
Maile acknowledged the challenges previously experienced in infrastructure spending
“To accelerate infrastructure roll-out and address the persistent delays that have stalled the province’s development
we are fully leveraging the reconfigured budget facility for infrastructure
“The introduction of multiple bid windows will ensure that priority projects spanning roads
and implemented without unnecessary bureaucratic delays,” said Maile
Maile said Gauteng is also considering credit guarantee vehicle
This aims to de-risk projects and unlock private capital without overburdening the public purse
He said focus is being shifted to infrastructure projects that are both sustainable
Ones that directly increase the revenue stream of GPG and contribute to economic growth and development
This was motivated by research findings conducted on infrastructure projects
I showed that not all infrastructure projects in the province are economically viable
“Gauteng Provincial Treasury will not shy away from stepping up and taking leadership in addressing the issues
These… are numerous infrastructure challenges that we are faced with
contractors and professionals shall be held accountable as the key role players in the infrastructure value chain,” said Maile
Maile emphasised that Gauteng is also tightening oversight
and stronger governance in infrastructure projects
He said key role players in the infrastructure value chain will be held accountable in challenges experienced
New infrastructure performance and cost guidelines will be implemented
This with the aim of improving efficiency and reducing waste
“We have introduced measures to control the debt being incurred
This in terms of financial commitments entered into for infrastructure projects
our provincial government can only spend within the available financial means,” said Maile
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JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development Lebogang Maile has emphasised the critical role of the township economy in driving South Africa's economic growth and development
Speaking at the South Africa-Davos feedback session on Thursday
he said the township economy generates approximately R200 billion annually
making it a vital component of the country's economic landscape
Maile said to capitalise on this potential
the Gauteng government has invested significantly in the development of the township economy through legislative instruments
ALSO READ: Township economy is more than just spaza shops, says Mashatile
Maile highlighted the importance of supporting township enterprises, citing the potential to create jobs, stimulate local economies, and reduce poverty and inequality.
"Through the Township Enterprise Fund, as well as other mechanisms, including linking Gauteng township manufacturing enterprises to the Black Industries Fund, over one billion [rand] has been invested in the township economy.”
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng MEC for Economic Development Lebogang Maile says local and foreign investors have shown a massive appetite for investing in the province as officials lead another investment drive.
More than R300 billion in investment pledges have been unveiled at the inaugural investment conference in Johannesburg on Thursday.
This is the province’s latest initiative in a wider drive to catalyse foreign and regional direct investment into Africa’s economic powerhouse.
Gauteng has set itself an investment target of R500 billion over the next five years.
The investment goal in this first iteration of the investment conference is more than half of this target.
Casting the first net into a pool of investors, Maile said the province has already surpassed its initial target.
“We have managed to secure pledges with an investment value of R312,5 billion. This is R12,5 billion more than our initial target. Our potential investors are geographically spread across five continents.”
This includes a total of 300 potential investors in South Africa, the United States (US) and the European Union (EU).
More than 60 projects have already been identified across 15 sectors.
JOHANNESBURG - How does Gauteng attract billions in investments?
On Thursday, Finance and Economic development MEC Lebogang Maile shared insights on the province’s investment strategy to do just that.
The SA_ Davos feedback session at Ubuntu Kraal Lifestyle in Soweto, followed Maile's participation in the 55th World Economic Forum-annual meeting in Switzerland earlier in January.
The South African delegation was led by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
He is joined by SALGA Gauteng Chairperson Jongizizwe Dlabathi (left) and Gauteng Treasury Deputy Director General Owen Witbooi (right)
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng government wants municipalities to take action against its financial officers for non-compliance after only two out of eleven received clean audits
The provincial government held a media briefing on Tuesday to present the municipal audit outcomes for the 2023 / 2024 financial year
While only two municipalities received clean audits
Gauteng said it's encouraged by the fact none of the municipalities regressed from the previous year
there were 19 instances of financial non-compliance by Gauteng municipalities
A majority of them related to unauthorised
READ: SALGA Gauteng wants coalition legislation finalised ahead of 2026 local govt elections
Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile, said municipalities need to strengthen their consequence management systems.
Maile said an exact figure of irregular and wasteful expenditure by municipalities will be communicated in due time.
JOHANNESBURG - Spaza shop owners who have erected structures on open spaces with critical infrastructure
Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile said they’d found that many structures had been built without zoning provisions and consent in the province
READ: Gauteng records lowest numbers of spaza shop registrations in the country
He addressed a media briefing in Johannesburg on Thursday morning on the progress of the registration of spaza shops in the province.
This is the warning from Maile, who said that structures built on critical infrastructure not only threatened spatial and economic development but posed a risk to the safety of communities as well.
“Municipalities have been encouraged to issue notices of correction to the owners. In some instances, where structures are erected on critical infrastructure, there will be a need for demolition in order to protect this critical infrastructure that services communities.”
But Maile said that this would be a last resort and demolition would only take place where regularisation cannot be achieved.
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile has warned that government will take action against foreign nationals who are found to be threatening South Africans
as some local spaza shop owners allege that they have been intimidated by foreign nationals amid the nationwide registration of businesses
Maile briefed the media in Johannesburg on the progress of the registration of spaza shops and food-handling facilities in the province
He said that the number of applications received from non-South Africans had increased to over 2,800
government announced the extension of the window period for the registration of spaza shops to 28 February 2025
Maile said government would deploy resources for the protection of South Africans should the need arise
"If there are South Africans who have been intimidated
can they please bring the matter to our attention
we will protect our citizens against criminality and we have got that duty and we will do it
deploy more resources to protect our citizens
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• Govt rejects claims that spaza shop registration programme will collapse township economy
• Hlabisa: No need for govt to impose limit on foreign nationals operating spaza shops
• Gauteng records lowest numbers of spaza shop registrations in the country
• Hlabisa urges spaza shop owners to register their businesses timely
• Over 49k spaza shops, food handling stores applied to be registered on govt's database - Hlabisa
• Govt extends deadline for spaza shop registrations to February 2025
has outlined a financial plan that allocates R527.2-billion to various government departments over the next three years
The budget grows at an annual average rate of 3%
starting at R171.5-billion in the 2025/26 financial year
It is set to reach R180.5-billion in 2027/28
The 2025 Mid-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) budget includes compulsory baseline reductions across all provincial departments to account for the downward revision of the provincial equitable share and to accommodate the provincial budget deficit
Maile said transfers from the national government remain a key component
This with the provincial equitable share growing by an annual average rate of 4%
It is set to increase from R133.9-billion in 2025/26 to R144.2-billion in 2027/28
“Conditional grant allocations will increase from R28.9-billion in the 2025/2026 financial year
[They will increase] to R29.2 billion in 2027/2028 in the outer year of the MTEF
“The adjustment in the data formula of the provincial equitable share has resulted in the overall decline in national government transfers to the province amounting to R6.2-billion over the 2025 MTEF,” said Maile
He said this shortfall would be partially offset by R3-billion allocated for the higher-than-budgeted public sector wage settlement
Another once-off allocation of R207-million in 2025/26 for the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative
This one is targeting teacher assistants in the Gauteng Department of Education
The net effect is a decline of R2.9-billion in the provincial equitable share over the MTEF
Maile also detailed how funds would be distributed among key departments
The Office of the Premier receives R1.5-billion for the 2025/26 financial year
It also receives R4.6-billion over the MTEF to lead the implementation of the 2024-2029 Gauteng Medium-Term Development Plan
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature is allocated R1.2-billion in 2025/26
It will be increasing to R3-billion over the MTEF to support governance and fund political parties
with the number of parties in the legislature growing from six to 11
The Gauteng Department of Economic Development will receive R1.6-billion in 2025/26 and R4.9-billion in total over the MTEF
These funds aim to promote industrial and economic infrastructure development
A further R22.6-million in 2025/26 and R63.7-million over the MTEF will be directed towards industrial parks
The Department of Health is allocated R66-billion for 2025/26
with a total of R209.1-billion over the MTEF
This is aimed at modernising infrastructure
and improving governance in underserved communities
the Gauteng Department of Education receives R69.6-billion
This is cumulatively R211.2-billion over the MTEF
And this is to expand access to quality basic education and early childhood development (ECD)
To also… improve education outcomes for women
“There will also be focus on delivering high-quality education across the foundation
senior and further education and training phases
And changing the education landscape to accelerate relevant and quality learning
As well as the creation of a safe schools’ environment and the promotion of social cohesion,” said Maile
Social Development is allocated R5.5-billion for 2025/26 and R16.8-billion over the MTEF
This to combat urban poverty and hunger and support homeless and vulnerable individuals
Also to provide comprehensive skills development
Traditional Affairs and Urban Planning will receive R551.4-million
Human Settlements Department receives R5.8-billion in 2025/26
It also receives R16.6-billion over the MTEF to drive the Rapid Land Release Programme and Mega Housing Projects
The Department of Roads and Transport is allocated R9.7-billion in 2025/26 and R28-billion over the MTEF
Community Safety will receive R2.4-billion in 2025/26 and R6.8-billion over the MTEF
and deploy Gauteng Traffic Wardens under the supervision of law enforcement
Agriculture and Rural Development receives R647.3-million in 2025/26 and R2-billion over the MTEF
and establish financing instruments for agro-processing enterprises
Culture and Recreation is allocated R1-billion in 2025/26 and R3.1-billion over the MTEF
The Provincial Treasury is allocated R787.8-million in 2025/26 and R2.4-billion over the MTEF
and support municipal financial management
Infrastructure Development receives R3.6-billion in 2025/26 and R10.8-billion over the MTEF
The funds are meant for the revitalisation of central business districts and completion of precinct developments
The Department of Environment is allocated R611.4-million in 2025/26 and R1.8-billion over the MTEF
“Despite the downward revision of budgets and reprioritisation within and between budget votes
the priorities highlighted in the State of the Province Address are funded in this 2025 MTEF Budget
We are confident that they will yield a measurable impact in delivering meaningful change for the people of Gauteng,” said Maile
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said that the law must be amended so law enforcement officers who commit crimes are punished more harshly
Maile was speaking at the memorial service of slain Gauteng traffic warden
a police officer attached to the Eldorado Park police station
allegedly shot and killed her on Boxing Day
READ: Slain Gauteng traffic warden Chesnay Keppler remembered as a dedicated crime fighter
Mandla Buthelezi reportedly attempted to commit suicide after murdering Keppler but survived and is in hospital under police guard.
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng MEC for Economic Development Lebogang Maile said the province’s latest investment drive will set into motion plans to drive economic growth
Gauteng set itself an investment target of R800 billion over the next five years
with pledges to the tune of R300 billion already made at the inaugural investment conference
ALSO READ: Investors have shown huge appetite for investing in Gauteng: Maile
Maile led a team of officials on Thursday, where the public sector met in a room with the private sector in a bid to catalyse foreign and regional direct investment into Africa’s economic powerhouse.
Maile has assured investors that the province’s plans won’t become a pipedream.
"Our investors can be confident that we are not building castles in the sky but that their much-needed investments will be directed towards a clear path of economic development on the continent."
He said 60 high-value projects in 15 sectors have already been earmarked to help grow the province’s economy.
"The project investment book prepared for this conference is an indication that we are not hosting this conference for the sake of mere discussions but to give practical, financial and technical support to projects for which we as the Gauteng government have already made significant investments at different levels."
Officials about to conduct an inspection on a spaza shop in Naledi
SOWETO - Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile embarked operation of evaluating compliance levels in several spaza shops in Soweto
This follows a spate of foodborne illnesses in children
a number of measures have been put in place
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile
outlining key priorities for the province.
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Gauteng’s Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile says the provincial government has secured over R312 billion in investment pledges
Maile made the announcement while addressing delegates at the Gauteng Investment Conference in Johannesburg on Thursday
He reveals that investment pledges include a total of 60 projects across 15 sectors and sub-sectors
Maile says investment pledges came from local
we have pledges amounting to R51.4 billion
pledges have been received from France and Estonia totalling just over R2.8 billion
“We pledge to implement reforms to improve the ease of doing business
including but not limited to investing in reliable infrastructure
water and sanitation and telecommunications
We pledge to support research and development
We pledge to create a stable and predictable regulatory environment by ensuring that laws are clear
He also emphasises the importance of partnering with the private sector to achieve the province’s growth ambitions
their commitment to creating a stable and predictable regulatory environment to encourage greater investment
and making it easy to conduct business in the province
Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile says the escalation of illegal mining in the province is a serious concern.
Illegal mining is prevalent in areas including Langlaagte at Zamimpilo, Riverlea, Selby, Dobsonville, Roodepoort, Florida and Cleveland.
The province which has about 160 mining companies is the country’s economic hub.
Maile who attended the African Mining Indaba in Cape Town has called for a lasting solution to illegal mining.
“We are concerned about illegal mining and that is why we are saying it is time to have conversations to formalise the sector how do we help those who are already doing this to stop doing illicit mining and regulate it properly and to properly contribute to revenue and fight poverty and unemployment.”
African Mining Indaba | Maile on illegal mining in Gauteng:
According to Hawks head Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya, illegal mining will continue to pose a significant risk to the growth potential of the South African economy if it is not dealt with.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation joined hands with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to try and fight illegal mining on an international level.
In September last year, a UN delegation and various ambassadors joined Lebeya at the Sibanye Stillwater mine on Gauteng’s West Rand to assess the extent of the challenge of illegal mining in Gauteng.
VIDEO | More details in the report below:
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng government has warned that if the provincial economy does not do well, national government will fail to meet its growth targets.
This comes after the province received reduced funding from the Treasury, leading to cuts in infrastructure budgets.
On Wednesday, the provincial finance department hosted a post-budget breakfast in Johannesburg where it interacted with business and other related stakeholders.
In his recent budget speech, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana forecasted the South African economy to grow by at least 1.9% by 2027.
Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile said that for that to happen, the country's economic hub must thrive.
"One of the things we are serious about is the rebuilding of the economy. The president has spoken about a 3% target for growth. Our economy in Gauteng is estimated to grow by about 2% next year or so, if Gauteng can't grow at 3%, there is no way national will get to 3%."
Maile said such economic growth could be achieved mainly through investing in the province’s infrastructure development.
The budget tabled before the legislature on Tuesday shows the Gauteng government has set aside R5.5 billion for new infrastructure in the next financial year.
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile has committed to working within the 21-day deadline to get spaza shops registered in the province
Maile said the process had been simplified to ensure businesses complied and were on the right side of the law
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He briefed the media on Tuesday afternoon following a declaration by the president to have all spaza shops and food handling stores registered within 21 days or face closure.
The move by the president is in response to an increase in food-borne illnesses affecting mostly children.
Maile said the aim of the interventions was to ensure the safety of communities.
"The objective of the interventions are to get hazardous pesticides off the street, to protect children from exposure to these substances and to prevent future outbreaks. To ensure compliance, the president issued a directive that all spaza shops and food-handling facilities must register with their respective municipalities."
Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile has revealed that over 17 000 spaza shops in the province have submitted their application for registration.
He briefed the media on spaza shop compliance in Johannesburg
In November last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that shop owners and food businesses had to register their businesses with their respective municipalities
This followed hundreds of cases of foodborne illnesses in parts of the country
passed away after consuming snacks purchased at some spaza shops last year
Maile says municipalities will issue temporary permits
the total number of applications for the registrations by spaza shops and food handling facilities across the Gauteng province is 17 617
This includes 7 107 applications by foreign nationals across all municipalities
with the City of Joburg having the highest number of applications
The approved or issued certificates are lower than the number of applications for registration owing to the undertaking of this process.”
VIDEO | Gauteng’s Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile addresses the media about the Spaza Shop Registration process:
Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile says it’s time for government to target bigger food outlets for compliance
Maile led a food safety blitz targeting various spaza shops and food outlets in Soweto on Monday
The aim of the blitz was to make sure that spaza shops and food outlets are not selling contaminated food, adhering to health standards and complying with regulations.
Three major supermarkets were inspected in Soweto
Some stores were found with several violations of food safety regulations with expired food and rodent waste on some products
“We found few expired products in some of them and we also found out that they’re not as clean as they are supposed to be especially where they are handling food and we also found that some of the products are not properly labelled of when they were prepared and when are they expiring
because we are with the law enforcement and inspectors
we were able to remove some of the products that are not supposed to be on the shelves,” says Maile
Notices have been issued to non-compliant shops
when one shop is found to be non-compliant in terms of a specific regulation that is to be attended by a specific body
government then that body can issue a notice and they need to do that
They do follow ups as well to make sure that everyone is compliant
Today was to ensure that everyone is compliant and if they aren’t compliant
we issue notices and after we will then come and check to see are they now compliant if not then there will be consequences,” says Zukusani Ndleleni
“I’m certainly not happy and not impressed
We have asked them that when the inspectors come back
Inspected stores remain open and will be visited again for further inspections
Government has been inspecting spaza shops and businesses following a food borne illness outbreak earlier this year
Video: Spaza Shops – Inspections in Soweto uncover health and safety violations: MEC Lebogang Maile
As the spaza shop registration deadline looms
a total of 13 616 registration forms have been issued to local and foreign owners across Gauteng since registration started on 15 November 2024
This follows a directive issued by President Cyril Ramaphosa that all spaza shops and food-handling facilities must be registered with their respective municipalities within 21 days
Giving an update on the progress made on spaza shop registrations at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday
13 616 spaza shops were issued with registration forms and of these
Maile said some of the applications returned were incomplete and missing critical supporting documents
2 605 applications have been submitted by non-South African spaza shop owners based on data from the City of Tshwane
West Rand District Municipality (comprising Merafong
Rand West City and Mogale City Local Municipalities)
and the Sedibeng District Municipality (comprising Emfuleni
Midvaal and Lesedi Local Municipalities),” Maile said
The current engagements with township commercial property owners have helped to improve the number of registrations
“The registration process has been simplified to ensure that business owners are not consumed in red tape
while simultaneously ensuring that compliance is achieved
while other municipalities are in various stages of digitising the process
“This is happening alongside the process of municipalities establishing by-laws on spaza shop ownership
municipalities are adopting a draft model standard by-law,” Maile said
He noted that since the call to register spaza shops within 21 days
the Gauteng Provincial Government has identified and established registration centres across all five regions
“A total of 85 registration centres were established
with their locations and required documentation for registration communicated using various media platforms including social media
as well as government communications platforms
“Outreach programmes have also been put in place to accelerate registrations and information dissemination
All regions have initiated outreach programmes
with over 15 000 spaza shops reached by the programme,” Maile said
Over 500 spaza shops closed for non-compliance
Maile reported that a total of 541 spaza shops have been closed due to non-compliance
Non-compliant businesses include those without Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CICP) registration
which is a legal requirement for operating a business in South Africa
“Other issues of non-compliance include a lack of certificates of acceptability or comment from Environmental Health and non-payment of operating licences that are obtained from municipalities
Businesses operating from unsafe premises and within a hazardous environment have also been closed for non-compliance,” Maile explained
The MEC said due to incomplete documentation being provided by spaza shop owners
there has not been a reconciled figure on the total number of compliant and non-compliant spaza shops
“Most of the outstanding documents from applicants include unapproved internal floor layout plans
as well as certificates of acceptance and fire safety
Business owners have been advised to acquire this documentation for further processing of their applications
there are businesses operating from informal dwellings in areas that are not proclaimed
These must first await a directive from the Department of Human Settlements,” the MEC said
Spaza shops owners have been urged to hand in their applications for registration before the deadline on Friday
Following the recent national budget announcement by South Africa Minister of Finance
the Gauteng Provincial government is ready to table its financial needs and budget allocation for 2025
How will MEC for Finance and Economic Development
Lebogang Maile balance the budget needs as the province grapples road and infrastructural challenges in the lead up to be G20 ready
Lebogang Maile balance the budget needs as the province grapples road and infrastructural challenges in the lead up to be G20 ready?Wed
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Lebogang Maile has cautioned spaza shop owners against paying money during inspections of their businesses
The warning comes as allegations of bogus health inspectors demanding money have surfaced
The Gauteng provincial government has more than 400 health inspectors on the job
to ensure compliance with health and safety standards across the province
Maile briefed the media in Johannesburg on the progress of the registration of spaza shops in the province
ALSO READ: Maile warns spaza shop owners that structures on open spaces with critical infrastructure will be demolished
It comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s November directive.
Maile said registration is free: “The public must not pay anyone any money because government services are free and of course, the government inspectors will have their clothes and tags. It’s as simple as that. People must not pay and in most cases, it’s people who are doing wrong things who want to pay bribes.”
Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile has tabled a half a trillion rand budget over three years for the Gauteng provincial government
He announced this during his 2025 Budget Speech in the Gauteng Legislature in Johannesburg today
Gauteng Education Department received the biggest allocation of more than R69 billion for the 2025/26 financial year with health coming second and receiving R66 billion for the current financial year
Maile says the total budget will grow at an annual average of 3% until the 2027/28 financial year
“The 2025 MTEF Budget for the Gauteng Provincial Government that we are tabling today amounts to over half a trillion rand
It grows at an annual average of 3% from R171.5 billion in 2025/26 to R175.1 billion in 2026/27 before reaching R180.5 billion in 2027/28 financial year.”
Maile says the provincial economy continues to grow above the national rate. He says it grew by 1.3% in 2024.
It is expected to rise to 1.8% in 2025 before reaching 2% in 2026.
VIDEO| The Gauteng government Budget Speech:
who died after a suspected poisoning incident
JOHANNESBURG - While police continue an investigation into what killed a 10-year-old Alexandra girl
there have been calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene in issues surrounding spaza shops
On Saturday, 10-year-old Lesedi Maaboi died after complaining of chest pains shortly after she allegedly consumed chips from a spaza shop near her home
said a state of emergency may need to be declared regarding the issues around spaza shops
Dozens of children in townships across the country have recently died in what people believe is a spate of food contamination incidents
This follows reports that the victims all consumed food from their local spaza shops
The latest incident of Maaboi saw her mother and four-year-old brother hospitalised after also falling ill.
Speaking to the media outside the Maaboi home on Monday afternoon, Maile said the issues surrounding spaza shops needed urgent attention.
“The president might have to just declare it as a state of emergency. We have to do something drastic. It doesn’t help that we talk and only act when there’s an incident like this.”
He added that the provincial government was extremely worried.
“It can’t be that every week we bury a child because of the lawlessness and activities taking place in these spaza shops in the townships.”
Police are investigating an inquest to determine what killed Maaboi.
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Acting Premier Lebogang Maile said that it was unacceptable for the country's women to feel unsafe
Maile was reacting to the murder of traffic warden Chesnay Keppler at the hands of her boyfriend and police officer
is reportedly known to have a history of violence and abuse
• Maile hears of challenges hindering crime-fighting efforts in Eldorado Park
• Maile condemns killing of traffic warden by her Eldorado Park police officer boyfriend
He is currently under police surveillance in hospital after he shot himself while resisting arrest.
Maile, who visited the Keppler home in Eldorado Park on Saturday, has urged men, particularly male officers, to take the lead in advocating against gender-based violence.
"We always said that men must protect women. We always say that our men should be in the forefront against the fight of women abuse and there is this pandemic that is stubborn, which refuses to die and it requires all of us especially men to be in the forefront of confronting because it can't be right."
JOHANNESBURG - Temporary permits will be issued to spaza shop owners awaiting the completion of the township proclamation.
Gauteng’s MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, brought this to light during the province's spaza shop registration briefing on Sunday.
Maile confirmed that more than 4,000 food-handling facilities and tuck shops had successfully registered.
Over 17,600 spaza shops and food handling facilities had applied to register their businesses in the province.
Shop owners were given three months to ensure compliance with all requirements and health standards.
President Cyril Ramaphosa introduced the registration programme last year to combat the widespread food-borne illnesses that tragically claimed the lives of 21 children countrywide.
During the briefing, Maile revealed that more than 15,000 tuck shops and food-handling facilities were unsuccessful in their applications.
Maile also mentioned that inspection of such establishments would continue despite the passing of the final deadline.
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile says over 500 spaza shops have been closed due to non-compliance in the province
He has further threatened that they will not be opened until they fully comply
Maile revealed the statistics during a media briefing in Johannesburg on the progress of spaza shop registrations on Thursday
after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s November directive
Maile says the provincial government is strengthening the rule of law to tackle non-compliant spaza shops.
"The intensification of law enforcement across all municipalities remains a priority. This is to ensure that only compliant spaza shops are allowed to operate.
"Currently, 541 spaza shops have been closed for non-compliance. These establishments will not be opened or allowed to operate until such time they meet all compliance requirements."
Maile says the provincial government aims to increase the capacity of inspectors for continuous inspections, which will continue throughout the festive season.
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SPONSORED - Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development
delivers the provincial budget for the upcoming financial year
The MEC will outline how the budget will be used to fund government’s priorities including health