Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens (CPW) also known as Amapanyaza together with the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested two shop owners aged 31 and 35 in Olievenhoutbosch in the east of Johannesburg on Tuesday during the compliance checks that were conducted in the area. The shops were also closed down.

CPW conducted the compliance checks at Ward 106, Extension 23 where they found illicit cigarettes and a box of counterfeit headache powder hidden in the toilet. When CPW members were counting the illegal goods, one shopkeeper called upon other shop owners who then caused a disruption by attacking amapanyaza and damaging their vehicle. A CWP member who spoke to ZiMoja on condition of anonymity said that they are on a mission to have all spaza shops that do not comply in the province shut down."These people have been operating unlawfully for some time now. They have become arrogant and in their minds they think they are untouchable. When we are at one spaza shop, the owner there will call them and they come in numbers prepared for war. We are not going to allow people to continue selling expired goods and illegal products in our area," the member said.

The SAPS members swiftly responded to the situation and arrested two suspects for malicious damage to state property and selling counterfeit cigarettes and medication. Gauteng Traffic police spokesperson Sello Maremane confirmed the incident. "The Crime Prevention Wardens conduct compliance checks to ensure the safety of consumers. Non-compliance and lack of cooperation from shop owners will not be tolerated. Furthermore, shop owners who fail to comply will face the full might of the law," he said. On Wednesday ZiMoja reported about the ongoing shutdown of foreign nationals who ran spaza shops in Soweto. In KwaThema, Tsakane and Etwatwa, in the East Rand, most spaza shops operated by foreign nationals have since been shut down. Last month, Public Safety MMC, Mgcini Tshwaku said shop patrollers would be on the ground from the end of October. Tshwaku said the patrollers will inspect and shut down non-compliant spaza shops in the province.