NOUPOORT NEWS - Noupoort came to a near standstill after the Pixley Ka Seme District Municipality closed all but one of the town’s food outlets and grocery stores today (Wednesday).

Health inspectors from the municipality requested these shops’ food acceptability certificates to trade with or prepare food shortly after 9am.

According to Karin Marais, an employee at Oasis Kafee, they are the only shop open. According to her, they do have an acceptability certificate.

Courtnay Stassen, of Shorty's Supermarket, told the Advertiser that approximately seven shops on the main road, Piet Retief Road, all the spaza shops, restaurants and even the Christian Care Centre's restaurant and the Railway Institute Restaurant were closed.

Stassen said the health inspectors told them they will be back in town tomorrow (14 November) to see whether he shops fixed shortcomings that they identified.

Only then can they apply for the certificate, which may take up to two weeks to be issued by the municipality.

“None of the shops were aware of this so-called certificate, as we would’ve obtained it, had we known about it,” Stassen added. “It is extremely unfair to close all businesses without warning or chance to sort out the issue!. It’s not just bad for business, but a huge inconvenience to customers. What will the people of Noupoort eat? Most are not in a position to jump in a car and drive to the next town.”

The Pixley Ka Seme District Municipality Municipal Manager, Rodney Pieterse was not available for comment this afternoon.

A municipal employee, who did not want to be named, confirmed the inspection and closing of the shops.

She said it is part of a health inspection programme. She also said other towns in the municipal area will also be visited by the inspectors, but she did not want to name towns or date.

This article will be updated once comment from the municipality is received.

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