The rising number of food poisoning cases in Gauteng has prompted Premier Panyaza Lesufi to announce random raids to ensure spaza shops comply with health regulations.
Speaking to the media on 10 November 2024, Lesufi confirmed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) would carry out these raids, with municipalities also tasked with enforcing the new rules.
Lesufi reported that Gauteng has seen 441 food poisoning cases in recent months, with 23 resulting in fatalities.
He reassured that municipalities are prepared to adopt the new by-laws and noted that the government would require spaza shops to re-register.
The raids, scheduled to begin on 11 November, will give authorities the power to seize non-compliant stock.
“There’s no one who is confused now, so we can arrest that situation ASAP. Twenty-three lives lost is too much, and we don’t want to add to that list. That is why health and education are here. We have identified those departments as areas that need our immediate support so they can protect us,” Lesufi stated.
In related news, it was reported that a toxicologist warned against storing hazardous chemicals near food items at home.
This follows Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s revelation that the children who died in Naledi, Soweto, after consuming food from a spaza shop had been exposed to pesticides.
The toxicologist further disclosed that food vendors had admitted to keeping harmful chemicals like galephirimi near the food they sell.
Facebook Comments