In an address to the nation on Friday, 15 November 2024, the President spoke about the increase in food-borne illnesses that have recently claimed the lives of at least 22 children.
Over 890 cases of food-borne sickness have been reported across South Africa, primarily in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. A major incident in Soweto led to the deaths of six (6) young children.
The President announced that many of these cases were linked to contaminated food products sold at spaza shops and informal street vendors.
Following extensive investigations, it was discovered that some shops were storing food near hazardous pesticides like Terbufos, an agricultural chemical misused for pest control in informal settlements. This misuse, alongside poor hygiene standards and improper food storage, has led to severe health consequences.
In response, the government has introduced a series of immediate measures to prevent further tragedies.
Among the most critical interventions is a directive requiring all spaza shops and food-handling facilities to register with their respective municipalities within 21 days. Those who fail to meet this deadline will face closure.
Law enforcement and multidisciplinary teams will conduct inspections to uphold these new regulations. Starting in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, teams from the South African Military Health Services, environmental health practitioners, the South African Police Service, and other agencies will carry out door-to-door inspections. Non-compliant businesses and those handling hazardous chemicals illegally will be shut down.
The government also aims to tackle the unregulated sale of dangerous pesticides, like Terbufos and banned substances such as Aldicarb, commonly used for pest control in areas with poor waste management. To address these root causes, local municipalities are urged to improve waste management to mitigate rat infestations, which drive communities to use unapproved pesticides.
Additionally, public education campaigns will be rolled out, focusing on food safety awareness and safe pesticide use. This campaign targets both shop owners and consumers, emphasizing the need to buy food only from reputable, hygienic establishments and urging parents to educate their children on food safety.
The President highlighted that the issue is not limited to foreign-owned shops, countering misinformation and emphasizing that non-compliance is widespread. He called on South Africans to work together, stating that each person has a responsibility to ensure the safety of the nation’s children.
To support township and rural businesses, a joint fund of R500 million will be established, providing resources for business refurbishment, regulatory compliance, and capacity-building initiatives. The President also introduced measures to classify dangerous pesticides as prohibited items on school premises and announced future protocols to enhance food safety and health monitoring in educational institutions.
Concluding his address, the President appealed to the nation for collective action to prevent future outbreaks and protect the most vulnerable. Through these strict new measures, government oversight, and community collaboration, South Africa aims to prevent further food-borne tragedies and restore safety in informal trading spaces.
