Gauteng: Twenty-three people in Gauteng have died as a result of food borne-related poisoning after consuming food from spaza shops. The majority of the deaths have been children between the ages of six and nine.

According to South African Government News Agency, Premier Panyaza Lesufi, on Sunday, updated residents on the implementation of by-laws to govern spaza shops. “The first uniform approach across the province was to adopt a mechanism of reporting because we have so many deaths that are taking place that we want to isolate those that are food borne and those that need our immediate attention,” Lesufi stated. He further indicated that the Department of Health has been tasked with reporting these incidents. Preliminary reports confirm the 23 recorded deaths, with a significant number occurring within schools and others within the community.

Furthermore, at least 441 cases of food poisoning have been reported across the province. Some affected individuals experienced symptoms such as vomiting and stomac
h aches but were either discharged or managed their symptoms without hospitalization. Lesufi emphasized the necessity for a “template” to be used by medical facilities, schools, and community centers to track areas requiring urgent intervention.

The provincial government has also decided to ban an agricultural pesticide linked to some of the deaths. “The MEC for Agriculture [Vuyiswa Ramokgopa] will formulate the approach on how to deal with that substance. We have agreed that it is banned in our province,” Lesufi announced. Law enforcement agencies will assist in ensuring the pesticide is not available in shops or among informal traders.

By-laws across municipalities will be standardized, following a draft gazette signed by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa. These new by-laws will outline business registration processes and operational conduct, simplifying monitoring for law enforcement agencies.

Lesufi also announced upcoming stakeholder meetings to addres
s these challenges. President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking at the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo, assured the public that the issue is being addressed at the highest government levels. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is collaborating with the Department of Health to develop safety guidelines to mitigate pesticide exposure risks in schools.