South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered nationwide inspections of informal shops and waste clean-ups following the food poisoning deaths of over 20 children, some linked to an agricultural pesticide.
In a televised address on Friday, Ramaphosa announced that spaza shops and tuck shops implicated in the deaths would face immediate closure. Local authorities have also been directed to clean up garbage contributing to rat infestations across affected areas.
Since September 2024, 890 cases of food-borne illnesses have been reported, resulting in at least 22 fatalities, many of them children. Among the most alarming incidents, six children in Soweto died last month after eating chips from an informal shop.
Investigations revealed that a chip packet from one of the victims contained traces of Terbufos, a hazardous pesticide registered for agricultural use only.
In response, Ramaphosa announced a sweeping campaign to inspect spaza shops and informal traders. “Any shop that is not registered within 21 days or fails to meet health standards will be closed,” he stated.
The president attributed the misuse of dangerous pesticides partly to poor waste collection by local municipalities, which has exacerbated rat infestations. He called for urgent action to improve waste management in towns and cities.
The deaths have also sparked a xenophobic backlash, as many spaza shops are operated by foreign nationals, including Ethiopians and Pakistanis. Ramaphosa emphasised the need for decisive action to prevent further tragedies.
