By Noko Mashilo
A growing number of spaza shop and food handling outlet owners are turning to Mathews Mpete and his pest control company, The Pest Control Police, for expert assistance.
A growing number of spaza shop and food handling outlet owners are turning to Mathews Mpete and his pest control company, The Pest Control Police, for expert assistance.
Through tailored pest management solutions, as well as sanitation and hygiene guidance, Mpete’s team is helping businesses create cleaner, safer shopping environments. Their efforts not only promote compliance with health regulations but also safeguard customers’ well-being while strengthening business operations.
Speaking to Vutivi News, Mpete emphasised the urgency of addressing pest control in township businesses.
“There are widespread pest issues in our spaza shops in villages and townships. Cockroaches, rodents, bedbugs, silverfish, ants, flies, and
many other pests are a common problem in these shops. Cockroach infestations, in particular, are highly unhygienic and pose serious health risks to customers,” said Mpete, General Manager of The Pest Control Police, based in Theresapark, Pretoria North.
many other pests are a common problem in these shops. Cockroach infestations, in particular, are highly unhygienic and pose serious health risks to customers,” said Mpete, General Manager of The Pest Control Police, based in Theresapark, Pretoria North.
He further explained that these concerns have led the government to mandate the registration and compliance of all spaza shops with health standards.
“Shop owners often attempt to eliminate pests themselves using chemicals bought from unregulated shops. The problem arises from the use of Aldicarb powder, which they scatter in food storage areas where rats consume it,” he said.
Mpete warned that this pesticide is highly toxic to humans.
“It is used to exterminate various insects, mites, and nematodes in soil. However, when shop owners fail to clean their products before selling them, unsuspecting children may consume contaminated snacks, leading to severe health complications, starting with stomach cramps and potentially blocking arteries,” he cautioned.
When asked how his pest control solutions address these challenges, Mpete explained that his company uses safe, SABS-approved pesticides, rodenticides, and herbicides.
“We are trained in handling these products correctly. For cockroaches,
we apply residual sprays and place bait gels strategically throughout the store. These pesticides are scientifically tested to eradicate cockroaches permanently without posing any risk to humans,” he stated.
we apply residual sprays and place bait gels strategically throughout the store. These pesticides are scientifically tested to eradicate cockroaches permanently without posing any risk to humans,” he stated.
Having operated The Pest Control Police for over a decade, Mpete leads a team of three, including a marketing manager and two pest technicians, all certified and licensed by the Department of Agriculture and endorsed by the South African Pest Control Association.
Mpete advised shop owners to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations by engaging a qualified pest control company.
“By doing so, they will receive a compliance certificate, which indicates to the Department of Health that their shop meets all necessary standards. To assist small businesses in meeting regulatory requirements, we conduct compliance checks and, where necessary, offer our services for a fee,” he explained.
He also noted that the government has recently adopted a stricter stance on pest management awareness, though he believes this action has come too late, as lives have already been lost due to ignorance.
“Some shop owners forge compliance certificates, and unfortunately, the government is not taking sufficient action to verify whether these documents are issued by accredited companies,” Mpete remarked.
According to Mpete, many of the spaza shops and food handling outlets his team has assisted have successfully avoided incidents of food poisoning or foodborne diseases.
“Even township restaurants, including food zones and shisanyamas, are now operating pest-free businesses without flies, rats, or cockroaches. We conduct follow-up treatments every three months to ensure continued compliance, offering this service at an affordable fee,” he concluded.
