The recent tragic incidents of food poisoning across the country with 70 matric pupils being hospitalised in Fochville and more than 30 in Malamulele Limpopo in a similar case , has raised concerns from all corners.
Last week the country was rocked with a similar incident where about five children died in Naledi, Soweto, after allegedly consuming snacks from the spaza shops.
Between 2013 and 2017, there were 327 reported outbreaks affecting 11,155 individuals, resulting in 49 deaths. More recent data shows that from March 2018 to August 2020, 338 food-borne disease outbreaks were reported, but only 129 (38%) were investigated.
These incidents have sparked widespread outrage among political parties in SA with the government trying to find solutions to the urgent concerns of suspected food poisoning.
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) and the Save South Africa Civic Movement have strongly condemned the government's “negligence” in addressing the urgent need for stricter food safety measures.
The ATM emphasised that the government's failure to investigate the majority of reported food-borne disease outbreaks is a clear indication of systemic negligence.
Its National Spokesperson, Zama Ntshona demanded that the government formulate a comprehensive strategy to combat the prevalence of poisonous food in communities.
He also called for the government to implement harsh penalties for those who manufacture and sell hazardous products and to employ qualified health environmental practitioners to help safeguard the nation's food supply and protect public health.
He further demanded the government to enhance health education on food safety and improve surveillance strategies while calling for accountability.
“The lack of accountability among government officials and political figures who fail to enforce food safety regulations must be addressed. Food safety officials must be held accountable for their negligence, which leads to the loss of innocent lives.
“The ATM insists that the government must act decisively and urgently to protect the health and safety of all South Africans. The time for action is now!,” Ntshona said.
In a scathing media statement, the Save SA Civic Movement also slammed the government for its alleged failure to protect its citizens from foreign infiltration.
The movement asserts that the government's inaction has led to a surge in illegal immigration, counterfeit goods, and crime, ultimately resulting in the deaths of innocent citizens, particularly black children.
In its statement, its spokesperson Tebogo Mashilompane labels the government as "non-caring" due to its perceived negligence in addressing the issue.
They argue that the government's primary responsibility is to safeguard its citizens, but instead, it has allowed foreign infiltrators to "declare war" on the country's people.
“The movement criticises the government for failing to take strong action against foreign nationals allegedly selling poisonous food, resulting in the deaths of black children. They question the government's motives, asking why it continues to allow foreign traders to operate in the country despite the harm caused.
“The movement demands that the government take responsibility for its failures and protect its citizens. The government has the power to inspect food, close borders, and safeguard its people but chooses not to act,” Mashilompane said.
The organisation further urged citizens to hold the government accountable for its inaction.
They conclude by stating that the 7th Administration has "blood on its hands" and must be held accountable by society.
Minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni during a press briefing in Pretoria on Thursday said it was up to South Africans not to support those who are accused of selling expired food.
“We must take a decision as a society that we are not buying at the spaza shops. We are not buying at spaza shops where we are not sure where they are buying their products,” she said
Ntshavheni further called for consumers to demand to see any form of registration with local authorities when they buy goods.
Saturday Star
mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za