Cabinet approves the ban on Terbufos import into the country

Cabinet has approved the ban on the import of Terbufos, commonly known as Galiphirimi, into the country.

This was announced by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni during a post Cabinet media briefing in Parliament.

This follows incidents in the country where a number of children died after consuming toxic snacks that were bought from spaza shops.

Ntshavheni says a report compiled by experts indicate that the highly hazardous product caused the death of six children in Naledi, Soweto. She says specifics to determine the exposure by the children remain uncertain.

However, the possibility that the children consumed food contaminated with Terbufos purchased from a local spaza shop remains the most viable explanation.

“Given the submission by the IMC advised by the ministerial advisory council, Cabinet has approved the ban of Terbufos or Galiphimiri, the import of Terbufos or Galiphimiri in South Africa, a chemical compound classified as organophosphate commonly known used as an insecticide and pesticide,” says Ntshavheni.

Meanwhile, Ntshavheni says that the recently released crime statistics clarifies misinformation about farm murders.

“In light of the recent misinformation of the farm owners killed, both were Africans of the two farmworkers were victims and one of the five farm managers killed, one was African.”

Foot and Mouth

She says the Cabinet welcomes the swift response in tackling the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Adding that the most affected provinces are KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

“The department has ordered 900 000 doses of vaccines with the first batch expected to arrive soon in areas where there are outbreaks all infected properties are placed under quarantine. No movement is allowed into, out or through these areas or farms, large areas where individuals cannot be served with quarantine notices are declared and the same restrictions apply.”

In conclusion, the Minister said that the Department of Health is monitoring the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant associated with a rise in cases in certain regions of Asia.

 Video: Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni briefing on Cabinet outcomes