​Thabo Bodibe 
Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile, met with the Boipatong and Naledi business communities on Monday, 21 October 2024, to discuss concerns following recent violence targeting spaza shops owned by foreign nationals. The unrest was triggered by allegations of contaminated food being sold in the affected areas.
MEC Maile engaged with business owners and residents from Boipatong, Sharpeville, and Naledi in a series of sessions to address their communities' key challenges. During the meetings, participants presented ideas and potential solutions for rebuilding local businesses and empowering residents through entrepreneurship opportunities.
Boipatong resident Kedibone Poho appealed to MEC Maile to help reopen spaza shops, which she described as vital to the community's convenience.
"We are suffering as a community. Now we must travel to Shoprite in Sharpeville or Pick 'n Pay in Boipatong for basic groceries," she said.
Business owners in Naledi expressed frustration, claiming that the government has ignored their proposals to address food safety concerns and violence in the area. Local business owner Jackie Mofokeng highlighted the importance of including township entrepreneurs in decision-making processes.
"You can't do township business without us. We are the township economy; the economy is us. You can't design programmes in the offices without engaging with us on the ground, some of us see how black ideas are being hijacked.
In response, MEC Maile acknowledged the grievances raised and committed to supporting the reopening of Spaza shops.
"I can't say today or tomorrow, but we will help. After next week, we are calling an imbizo.
"We will provide grants to support the reopening of closed shops. It's unacceptable for anyone, legal or illegal, to engage in violent activities and threaten our communities."
The MEC stressed the importance of stricter law enforcement and assured the communities that gaps in the system were being addressed.
Some residents criticised the provincial government for being reactive rather than proactive and for the absence of law enforcement. 
However, MEC Maile reassured them that steps were being taken to restore order and that the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller would play a pivotal role in supporting businesses.
"We are going to help you. We are going to activate our Gauteng Enterprise Propeller to be agile. This situation needs agility. We will have to offer some grants to some shops. I don't want to announce the amount of that grant. What we are going to do must be a well thought out process and executed," added Maile