Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has banned sales of the pesticide terbufos at spaza shops and informal traders, after the deaths of 23 children in the province this year.
Anyone wanting authorisation to use the poison – frequently used to kill rodents – would now have to go through the provincial Agriculture Department.
The announcement follows revelations last month from Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi that terbufos had killed six children in Naledi.
On Sunday, Lesufi said a total 441 food poisoning cases, linked to products bought from spaza shops and vendors, had been reported.
TimesLIVE reports that new draft bylaws for township economies have also been gazetted in Gauteng, aimed at “creating an enabling environment for small businesses in townships”.
Lesufi said that in a meeting with MECs, mayors, MMCs, speakers and municipal managers, it was agreed that priorities were stricter regulations, better enforcement of existing laws, and increased public awareness about the potential dangers associated with purchasing from unregulated spaza shops and informal traders.
“All councils across municipalities will now be required to pass the new bylaw, which explains how to register a business and conduct it to ensure a uniform approach. We are going to start weekly stakeholder engagement and consultations.
“We are also starting the process of re-registration of spaza shops.”
Another recommendation was for municipalities to implement “a comprehensive strategy” to include educating and training spaza shop owners and their staff on food safety practices.
Meanwhile, about 110 pupils at Tamaho Primary in Katlehong were taken to clinics and hospitals last week with stomach cramps and vomiting after eating samp at school, said the Gauteng education department.
TimesLIVE reports that 90 pupils were discharged after treatment but 12 remained in hospital.
“The Gauteng Departments of Education and Health are monitoring the situation and will provide information as the investigation proceeds,” said education spokesperson Steve Mabona.
TimesLIVE – 110 Katlehong pupils in hospital after eating samp during break
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