Gauteng government curbs food poisoning with stricter by-laws on shops
Statement by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi following meeting with municipalities on the implementation of by-laws governing spaza shops.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced sweeping interventions last week in response to a troubling rise in food contamination cases across the province.
Since January, 441 incidents have been reported, resulting in 23 deaths, with seven cases testing positive for organophosphate poisoning.
Most victims are children aged 6 to 10 who consumed snacks purchased from informal vendors and spaza shops near schools.
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Ekurhuleni reported the highest number of incidents, followed by the West Rand, with Johannesburg experiencing the most deaths.
The provincial government is implementing stricter by-laws and initiating a province-wide re-registration process for spaza shops to ensure regulatory compliance.
“A comprehensive approach involving stricter regulations, law enforcement, and public awareness is essential to address this crisis,” Lesufi said.
To improve reporting, the government is developing templates for hospitals, schools, and healthcare centres.
Weekly stakeholder engagements will expedite compliance.
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MEC for Economic Development Lebogang Maile said municipalities should enforce by-laws rigorously, with provisions for educational programs and health inspections.
Shops failing to comply will face immediate closure.
The Gauteng City Region is also launching an integrated program targeting business compliance across the province, promoting public health, consumer rights, and ethical business practices.
Lesufi urged residents to be vigilant, advising them to check expiry dates and report expired goods to authorities via the emergency healthcare line at 012 345 6789.
