Structures to be established to deal with food poisoning crisis in SA

President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed that Joint Operational and Intelligence Structures be established at a national and provincial level, to deal with the food poisoning crisis in South Africa.

He addressed the nation on Friday night, giving government’s response as food poisoning cases grow.

The President says at least 22 children have died, in the past few weeks, allegedly after they consumed contaminated snacks bought from spaza shops. Six of the children were from Naledi in Soweto.

The President adds that measures are put in place and aimed at preventing future outbreaks.

“In dealing with this crisis 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. Failure to comply will result in strict sanctions that include directives, compliance notices and criminal enforcement.”

Ramaphosa says all spaza shops in South Africa have to re-register in 21 days.

Food Poisoning | President Cyril Ramaphosa lists interventions to combat crisis:

Meanwhile, the National Association of School Governing Bodies General Secretary, Matakanye Matakanye says President Ramaphosa’s order for immediate closure of all spaza shops, is long overdue.

Matakanye says he hopes that measures to tackle rising child deaths from food poisoning yield positive results.