President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the spaza shops implicated in the death of children will be shut down.
Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Friday, 15 November, about measures government will implement to address the spate of alleged food poisoning incidents that have also claimed the lives of children.
GOVERNMENT TO SHUT DOWN SPAZA SHOPS IMPLICATED IN CHILD DEATHS
Over 890 reported cases of food-borne illnesses have been reported across the country. Most cases were reported in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Free State, and Mpumalanga.
As a result, at least 22 children have died due to alleged food poisoning.
In October, there was a major food-borne illness in Naledi, Soweto, which claimed the lives of six children. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi confirmed that an organophosphate called terbufos caused the death of the six children who were rushed to hospital in critical condition after allegedly consuming various snacks from local spaza shops.
During his address, Ramaphosa outlined three critical interventions to be implemented immediately.
“Following the special meeting of Cabinet, we have decided to make the following interventions: The first intervention is to get hazardous pesticides off the street, the second critical intervention is to protect children from exposure to these substances, the third critical intervention is to prevent future outbreaks. The following measures will be implemented with immediate effect.
“The spaza shops which have been implicated in the deaths of children will be closed with immediate effect. Non-compliant businesses and shops linked to any poisoning incidents or found to stock hazardous chemicals unlawfully will be shut down,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa said all spaza shops and food-handling facilities must register with their respective municipalities within 21 days to ensure compliance.
“Any shop that is not registered within 21 days and does not meet all health standards and requirements will be closed,” Ramaphosa said.
DO YOU SUPPORT GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO SHUT DOWN THE SPAZA SHOPS?
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