Traditional leaders from the uMlalazi local municipality in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) are working together with government authorities to enforce compliance in spaza shops operated by foreign nationals.

They have been trained on municipal bylaws.

This comes after the death of 22 children across the country, after consuming food believed to be contaminated that they had allegedly bought at spaza shops.

Inkosi Thanduyise Mzimela of the Mzimela clan in Mtunzini says after receiving training, traditional leaders are expected to then pass on this knowledge to communities.

“There is a meeting between the municipality officials, Izinduna, me and all foreign nationals who are operating spaza shops in our area. The aim of the meeting is to workshop Izinduna, give them information about the foreign nationals about the bylaws of the municipality, so that we make sure that everyone who is the leader in our area have got the relevant information regarding the spaza shops bylaws and operations happening in our area.”