Ramaphosa announces strict control measures for Spaza shops

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a raft of measures, including closing implicated shops, to address the recent spate of children becoming sick from eating contaminated food.

The President was speaking on a live address to the nation broadcast by the SABC.

Ramaphosa says his cabinet has decided to get hazardous pesticides off the streets and shop shelves, including spaza shops.

“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,” says Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa says spaza shops and other shops implicated will be closed immediately.

“All spaza shops and other food handling facilities must be registered within the municipalities in which they operate within 21 days from today. Any shop that is not registered within 21 days and does not meet all health standards and requirements will be closed. The South African Police Service and other law enforcement agencies will be required to investigate, arrest and prosecute offenders. This will involve close cooperation with all registered manufacturers and suppliers,” says the president.

He says teams of multidisciplinary inspectors will conduct compliance checks on food handling facilities, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers, including spaza shops and general dealers and that any businesses or shops found to be non-compliant, involved in poisoning incidents, or illegally storing hazardous chemicals will be closed.

The president says cabinet also agreed to take measures to protect children from exposure to hazardous chemicals. This includes the Basic Education Department sending a circular to provinces about how to handle food born illnesses.

He says guidelines for school food suppliers will be revisited next year. He says a public education drive will be launched regarding hazardous substances.

“A public education campaign will be launched aimed at children, parents, caregivers and the broader community on food safety and the identification, handling and storage of dangerous chemicals. This campaign will involve GCIS, government departments and agencies, industry organisations and civil society formations,” says Ramaphosa.

VIDEO | President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation: