The City has denied that it’s penalising pensioners for selling koesisters, doughnuts or vetkoek from their homes.

The claim first surfaced during a discussion on Cape Talk last week, where a community leader from Hanover Park said residents had received notices that threatened them with penalties of up to 20 years in prison or fines of R800 000 for selling goods such as sweets and baked items from their properties.

But Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews says that claim is false, and those spreading it are misleading the public.

“The City acted after complaints from the community about properties operating as full businesses, with signage, stock, increased activity and an impact on surrounding residents. There is a difference between someone trying to put food on the table through a small home-based activity, and a property operating as a full business.”

Andrews says residents who are baking koesisters from their home on a Sunday and selling them can continue to do so.

“You don’t need a planning application from the council because you can continue baking your koesisters and your samosas and whatever else you are baking there. But what does require permission from the council is when your home now resembles a shop. This is when you need the necessary planning application and environmental health assessments to see if your property is in the right condition to comply with the requirements.”

Andrews has acknowledged the important role spaza shops play in the community, and that the City stands ready to process applications for those who operate full shops from their homes.

Residents who run full spaza shops have been urged to visit the City’s website to submit a land use application, or contact the Development Management Department on 021 401 4702.