Ramaphosa orders shutdown of implicated spaza shops
President Ramaphosa has ordered the immediate closure of all spaza shops implicated in the deaths of children.
Death toll of suspected food poisoning is now at 22, with over 800 incidents recorded.
All spaza shops have been given 21 days to register with municipalities of face closure.
Government's response to the outbreak includes removing hazardous pesticides off the street, protecting children from exposure to these substances and prevent future outbreaks.
Ramaphosa addressed the nation in a televised speech on Friday.
"The spaza shops which have been implicated in the deaths of children will be closed with immediate effect,” he said.
"All spaza shops and other food handling facilities must be registered within the municipalities in which they operate within 21 days from today.
"Law enforcement agencies will be required to investigate, arrest and prosecute offenders. This will involve close cooperation with all registered manufacturers and suppliers," he added.
Ramaphosa said there is no evidence which indicates deliberate campaign to poison children.
"There is also no evidence that the problem is confined to spaza shops owned by foreign nationals only, these products are just as likely to be sold in shops owned by South Africans.”
He said government will undertake compliance inspections at food handling facilities, manufacturers, distributors, wholesaler and retailers starting with Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
He said there will be stricter regulations on the sale of pesticides including Terbufos, this comes after a toxicology report confirmed the presence of the chemical organophosphate in the deaths of six children in Soweto.
"The supply chain process for distribution and sale of Terbufos will be investigated to ensure that controls are being adhered to and that there is accountability for who they sell to.”
Ramaphosa said the Department of Basic Education will advise schools on best practice protocols for preventing and managing foodborne illnesses within schools.
A public education campaign on food safety will also be rolled out.
The President, also said a Joint Operational and Intelligence Structures will be established to prevent future outbreaks.
"Our local municipalities will be required to take urgent action to address the problem of rat infestations by cleaning cities and towns and removing waste,"
"All municipal landfill sites will be required to comply with National Environmental Management Waste Act." he added
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