Responding to a tragic wave of food poisoning incidents that has resulted in the deaths of over 20 individuals, President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered all spaza shops implicated in these incidents are to be closed immediately, with new regulatory steps to ensure future compliance.
Mandatory Registration and Inspections
In a decisive move, President Ramaphosa has directed all spaza shops and food-handling establishments to register with their local municipalities within 21 days. Any business failing to meet this deadline or comply with health and safety standards will face immediate closure. He emphasized that offenders will be held accountable through rigorous enforcement by the South African Police Service and other law enforcement agencies.
“From today, any shop that is not registered within 21 days and does not meet all health standards and requirements will be closed. Law enforcement will investigate, arrest, and prosecute offenders,” said President Ramaphosa.
Collaboration between manufacturers, retailers, suppliers, and multidisciplinary inspection teams will play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
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Removing Hazardous Substances
President Ramaphosa also announced immediate measures to eliminate harmful pesticides and substances from public circulation, citing their potential links to food safety hazards. The crackdown aims to prevent further tragedies stemming from the consumption of contaminated or unsafe food products.
Consumer Vigilance: A Key Responsibility
The President urged consumers, particularly parents, to be vigilant when purchasing food. He stressed the importance of buying food only from licensed and hygienic establishments.
“As consumers and parents, we must buy food only from places that observe food safety regulations. Ensure that food is prepared in clean areas and that products are clearly labeled and within their sell-by dates,” he stated.
Parents were also encouraged to educate their children about the importance of food safety. This includes checking food labels, identifying expired products, and reporting any suspicious or counterfeit food items to the National Consumer Commission.