The Gauteng MEC for Sports Arts and Culture and Recreation, Ms Mbali Hlope, visited Central City Shopping Mall in Mabopane yesterday 27 May 2020 as part of the delegation to check COVID 19 Lockdown Protocols compliance in the province.
The MEC said Gauteng has been identified as a hotspot with the highest number in COVID 19 cases and that this was part of the efforts to flatten the curve.
The MEC visited shops to check food areas and she discovered that some shops were selling expired goods.
“In some stores, we were not satisfied with the level of cleanliness and we are dealing with them. We have our health experts and people who are checking if prices are consistent,” said MEC Hlophe.
Although the MEC found some issues at some stores, she said the mall is doing well and people are wearing masks and sanitizing.
“We are continuously having a challenge with a social distancing from the society in general,” said MEC Hlophe.
She said that the officials have spoken to the store managers to make sure that markings are put in place to enforce social distancing and that they appoint Occupational Health and Safety Officials for monitoring.
“We will come back announced for continued monitoring,” she said.
A resident, Ms Takalani Ramphai, said the government should consider employing temporary workers to deliver food to families to address the challenge of social distancing.
