President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a stern ultimatum to spaza shops across South Africa: register with municipal authorities within 21 days or face closure. The crackdown comes in the wake of a devastating rise in food-borne illnesses, which have claimed the lives of at least 22 children in recent weeks.
Speaking on Friday, Ramaphosa outlined the government’s urgent plan to address the growing public health crisis. Hundreds of schoolchildren have reportedly fallen ill in the past three months after consuming contaminated food and sweets purchased from spaza shops and street vendors.
The president emphasized the dire need for action, particularly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, provinces most affected by these incidents.
A Three-Pronged Approach to Food Safety
Ramaphosa detailed a three-step plan to curb the outbreak and protect children:
- Removal of Hazardous Pesticides:
Efforts will be made to eliminate dangerous pesticides from circulation, many of which have been implicated in the poisoning cases. - Protecting Children from Exposure:
Awareness campaigns and stricter controls will aim to prevent children from coming into contact with harmful substances. - Prevention of Future Outbreaks:
Enhanced inspections and regulations will be implemented to ensure long-term food safety compliance.
Immediate Action for Implicated Shops
Ramaphosa did not mince words when addressing spaza shops linked to the recent deaths. “All spaza shops implicated in children’s deaths will be closed immediately,” he stated. Furthermore, every spaza shop or food-handling facility must register with their local municipality and meet stringent health standards within 21 days.
Failure to comply will result in immediate closure, the president warned. “Any shop that does not meet all health standards and requirements will be shut down,” he added.
Law Enforcement to Intensify Crackdown
To bolster the initiative, Ramaphosa called on police and law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute offenders. He emphasized collaboration with registered manufacturers and suppliers to trace the sources of contaminated products and hold guilty parties accountable.
This decisive move reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s children and ensuring the food sold in communities is safe to consume.
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