What's behind the drive to close South Africa's 'spaza' convenience stores? | DW News

South Africa has launched a crackdown on small convenience stores after the deaths of more than 20 children from suspected food poisoning in October. The shops, known locally as spazas, are at the center of a heated dispute over food safety and immigration. While authorities investigate, human rights groups warn the campaign may be fueled by xenophobia, as DW's Dianne Hawker reports from Johannesburg. For more news go to: http://www.dw.com/en/ For more news, analysis and background information on the German election 2025 go to our dedicated page: https://www.dw.com/en/german-election-2025/t-70794502 Follow DW on social media: ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwnews ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dwnews ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deutschewellenews/ ►Twitter: https://twitter.com/dwnews Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie: https://www.youtube.com/dwdeutsch Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/deutschewelleenglish?sub_confirmation=1 #SouthAfrica #Spaza #Xenophobia