More than 400 food poisoning cases and 23 deaths reported in Gauteng

Since January 2024, Gauteng has reported 441 cases of suspected food poisoning, resulting in the deaths of 23 children, most of whom were aged between six and ten.

Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi revealed this on Sunday, 10 November, to provide an update on the government’s response to the spate of food poisoning incidents. 

OVER 400 CASES OF FOOD POISONING REPORTED IN GAUTENG 

During the briefing, Lesufi revealed that Ekurhuleni had reported the highest number of incidents, followed by West Rand. 

The majority of deaths were reported from Johannesburg, followed by Ekurhuleni. In addition, seven postmortem results out of the 19 deaths tested positive for organophosphate.

Organophosphate is a group of substances which are used in agriculture or as pesticides. In October, Health minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi confirmed that an organophosphate caused the death of six children from Naledi, Soweto, who were rushed to hospital in critical condition after allegedly consuming various snacks from local spaza shops. 

Having met with members of the executive council, mayors, and municipal managers about the provincial approach to the implementation of by-laws and regulations for the operation of spaza shops in the province, Lesufi said they all agreed that addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach involving 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.

The National Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) will issue new by-laws explaining how to register and conduct business to all municipal councils to ensure a uniform approach. 

“We are going to start weekly stakeholder engagement and consultations. We are further starting the re-registration of spaza shops,” the premier said. 

BUSINESSES OPERATING WITHOUT PROPER LICENCES/CERTIFICATES

Additionally, Lesufi said law enforcement will move with speed to close shops that do not 
comply. 

“Government is aware that the informal sector is a vital component of our economy as it affects people’s livelihoods, provides opportunities for  many who would otherwise be marginalised, and is essential for 
tackling the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment, and inequality.

“It is, however, the responsibility of informal traders to trade by legal requirements and in a manner that promotes public health and safety,” he said. 

The premier said some of the informal retail outlets often operate without proper licensing/certificates of acceptability and other regulations. 

“We have also found that they sell various products, including food and household items, that do not meet safety standards.” 

Lesufi further called on Gauteng residents not to buy foodstuffs that have reached their use-by or sell-by dates and to report shops that sell expired goods.