Johannesburg, South Africa – President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a series of measures on Friday to address a surge in food poisoning incidents that have tragically claimed the lives of 22 children in South Africa.
The President revealed that since September 2024, a staggering 890 cases of foodborne illnesses have been reported nationwide. These incidents have led to severe illnesses and fatalities, particularly among children who often consume food from informal vendors and small shops known as spaza shops.
A recent tragic incident in Naledi, Soweto, highlighted the severity of the problem. Six children, including a six-year-old, lost their lives after consuming contaminated food purchased from a local spaza shop. Scientific tests confirmed that the children’s deaths were directly linked to exposure to a highly toxic pesticide called Terbufos.
Despite being registered for agricultural use, Terbufos has been illegally sold as a domestic pesticide in townships and informal settlements. This dangerous practice has resulted in widespread contamination of food and water sources.
In response to this crisis, President Ramaphosa has ordered an immediate ban on the sale of hazardous pesticides. Additionally, all spaza shops and food handling facilities must now be registered with local municipalities within 21 days and must adhere to strict health and safety standards. Non-compliant establishments will face closure.
The President emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting public health and ensuring food safety. He urged citizens to exercise caution when purchasing food from informal vendors and to report any suspected cases of food poisoning to health authorities.
