Foodborne illnesses claimed 41 lives in SA: NATJOINTS

Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu and Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams brief members of the media to provide progress made with regards to Naledi food poisoning investigations led by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) as part of government’s response to incidents of food poisoning in the country, October 28, 2024.

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Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili says 41 people have died of foodborne illnesses across the country.

Mosikili, who is also the chairperson of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), was part of a media briefing in Pretoria this morning by government ministers who are leading the national response to instances of foodborne illnesses and illicit trading.

Mosikili says, “We are handling a total of 32 cases to date where 41 persons have died, 38 of whom are children and three are adults. In relation to the recent cases that led to the team, we haven’t had any arrests. We, however, do have three persons who were arrested and prosecuted and they are going to court on poisoning-related matters.”

Terbufos pesticide

Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi says it is understood that the Terbufos pesticide found in local spaza shops was not produced in South Africa.

However, he says this is yet to be confirmed.

Motsoaledi says they believe that the Terbufos pesticide is being brought into the country through the Port of Durban.

He says, “Out of the five manufacturers of this organophosphate called Terbufos, which they have inspected and tested, they reached a conclusion that it might be coming from outside the country because it is not similar to the one that is manufactured by the five companies.”

“The Port of Durban where there is a lot of concentration and activity and even intelligence-directed operations against the port where we believe these chemicals are coming through. Now we must do the tests to confirm exactly what it is,” Motsoaledi adds.