Hlabisa to table report on deadly poison used by spaza shops, farmers

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa says a full report regarding the continued use of poisonous organophosphates by some spaza shop operators and farmers will soon be sent to parliament to declare the substance illegal. It is alleged that many spaza shops and farmers are using it to kill rats, among others.

However, it has since emerged that some of the items that are sold by spaza shops end up being contaminated by this poison. Hlabisa spoke to the media after visiting an eight-year-old boy admitted to Baragwanath Hospital after allegedly consuming contaminated snacks in Soweto.

“And very soon, once that report is concluded, we are willing to take it to parliament to take a decision to make this poison illegal to be available in South Africa. And for whoever uses it for whatever reason. Because the report that we have just received indicates many have died silently. We want to take those figures to the cabinet to take a decision to declare this poison used in the farming community as illegal.”

Hlabisa says it is concerning that some members of the public are using the same poison to commit suicide.

“There was one thing that raised a concern. Which was raised by doctors there. There are so many people, adults, who consume the organophosphate as a way of committing suicide. And we really want to appeal to our communities, whatever challenges there are. When they interview them, they say, I am unemployed; I have family challenges. Indeed, unemployment is a challenge to our young people, but it doesn’t mean end your life,” he adds.

WATCH: Food Poisoning | Hlabisa visits boy hospitalised after eating snacks in Soweto