ANC's spaza shop proposal condemned

2012-06-25 12:35

The ANC has not done enough to improve the quality of education in the country, United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa says. (File, Sapa)

Cape Town - A civil rights organisation has condemned an ANC proposal to curtail township spaza shops owned by foreigners, it was reported on Monday.

People Against Suffering, Oppression and Poverty (Passop) co-ordinator Brian Hanekom told the Cape Times the move was misguided and a mistake.

"We are very disappointed to hear this. We are hoping to communicate with the ANC provincial chairperson [Marius Fransman] about this issue.

"We don't know the number of foreign entrepreneurs in townships, but we can safely assume that the rights of the number of people who pay cheaper for a loaf of bread far outweigh the interest of local shop owners."

ANC provincial secretary Songezo Mjongile had said there needed to be intervention to increase the number of local entrepreneurs in townships.

"More locals need to participate and need to be supported... it creates tension. If we are not attending to it, it becomes a source of division."

He told the newspaper it was not a provincial proposal, but part of a national discussion document.

- SAPA