In a nation deeply shaken by the recent deaths of at least 22 children from food-borne illnesses, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the public on Friday evening, outlining the government’s immediate actions to combat the crisis. The deaths, which have been linked to food poisoning from snacks sold at spaza shops and street vendors, have sparked national outrage and widespread calls for accountability.
The president revealed that a total of 890 incidents of foodborne illness have been reported, with Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal being the hardest-hit provinces, followed by Limpopo, Free State, and Mpumalanga. Among the victims were six children from Naledi, Soweto, who died last month after consuming food tainted with Terbufos, a dangerous pesticide.
In his address, Ramaphosa expressed the nation’s collective grief: “Few words can adequately convey our sadness and our pain as a nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families as they go through the pain and the anguish of losing their children,” he said.
The alarming rise in food-related fatalities has already resulted in the closure of school tuckshops across the country and has ignited protests in communities affected by the crisis. Many are calling for urgent reforms in the food handling sector to prevent further tragedies.
Government Action Plan
The president emphasized that spaza shops and vendors responsible for these deaths would be shut down immediately. “The spaza shops implicated in these tragic deaths will be closed,” Ramaphosa confirmed. He also announced a series of measures to prevent further exposure to harmful substances and to address unsafe food handling practices:
1. Immediate closure of non-compliant spaza shops: Spaza shops linked to foodborne deaths will be shut down, and all food handling establishments will have to register with local municipalities within 21 days.
2. Enhanced law enforcement: The South African Police Service (SAPS) will investigate, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for selling harmful pesticides or failing to comply with health regulations.
3. Stronger pesticide regulation: The government will crack down on the illegal sale and use of pesticides like Terbufos and Aldicarb, which are frequently sold for rat control but are banned for domestic use. Inspectors will monitor food storage conditions to ensure compliance with safety standards.
4. Public education campaigns: The Department of Basic Education will distribute guidelines for schools on managing food safety, and a national public education campaign will raise awareness about hazardous chemicals like pesticides and their proper handling.
Addressing the Root Causes
Ramaphosa also pointed to poor waste management and inadequate infrastructure in many communities as contributing factors to the proliferation of pests, which drive the use of dangerous pesticides. “Rubbish is not collected regularly; streets are not being cleaned, creating conditions for rats and other pests to thrive,” he said, acknowledging the hardships faced by low-income communities.
The government also plans to take action to prevent future outbreaks by improving waste removal and rat control in local municipalities. This includes ensuring better cleaning services and creating safer living environments for vulnerable communities.
A Call for Unity
Despite the anger and frustration over the deaths, Ramaphosa urged the nation to unite in addressing the crisis. “We all need to be better informed about the risks of pesticides and other dangerous products,” he said. “By working together, enforcing the law, and being responsible, we will be able to bring an end to these tragedies.”
In addition to immediate public health measures, the government will establish a R500 million joint fund to support township and rural businesses, helping them with infrastructure upgrades, regulatory compliance, and technical skills development. The fund aims to support the growth of community convenience shops while ensuring they meet health and safety standards.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of these tragic deaths, President Ramaphosa’s speech underscores the need for swift and coordinated action to protect the nation’s children and prevent further harm from hazardous food handling practices.
