SA Spaza Shop Association condemns violence targeting spaza shops and informal traders in the country

Violence targeting spaza shops and informal traders in South Africa, is leaving many small business owners operating under fear and uncertainty. The South African Spaza Shop Association says these attacks are no longer isolated incidents, but a growing crisis that is undermining township and rural economies and threatening the survival of informal trade networks. The association is now calling for urgent government engagement and coordinated, practical interventions to curb the violence and restore safety for traders. We spoke to Kgothatso Ramautswa, President of the South African Spaza Shop Association, to unpack the situation and possible solutions.