The increasing number of food poisoning incidents in schools across Gauteng raises alarm bells and demands immediate action. Another incident took place on Thursday at Mshuluzane Mayisela Primary School in Bronkhorstspruit, where 25 learners fell ill after allegedly consuming snacks from street vendors. We wish all learners a speedy recovery.
This incident once again highlights a disturbing trend in Gauteng, where at least 12 learners have tragically passed away from alleged food poisonings in 2024. The Democratic Alliance (DA) demands that immediate action be taken to ensure that every child is safe and communities are secure. Every child must have access to food that is safe and nutritious, and the government must do everything possible to prevent future incidents.
Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, has publicly requested that councillors take an active role in conducting audits of spaza shops within their wards. While we acknowledge that councillors can assist by inspecting spaza shops and reporting non-compliance to the relevant departments, the responsibility for inspections ultimately lies with the appropriate health inspectors and law enforcement officials.
Many councillors across the province can attest that when reporting spaza shops and vendors to the relevant health inspectors, town planning, building inspectors, and law enforcement, very little action is taken against non-compliance.
If the DA was in government in Gauteng, we would implement the following measures to ensure food safety and compliance:
Establish a dedicated task force: we would ensure an immediate and coordinated approach with all relevant provincial and local departments to inspect spaza shops and vendors, particularly around schools.
Immediate coordination between provincial and local government departments: ensure all vendors and spaza shops comply with Food Safety Regulations as per Foodstuffs, Cosmetics, and Disinfectants Act and all other relevant laws and by-laws, ensuring that all compliance certificates are in place, such as Certificate of Acceptability.
Launch of public awareness campaigns: Coordinated educational programme with the Departments of Education and Department of Health to educate learners, parents, and educators on the importance of ensuring that food bought is fit for consumption.
The DA is committed to holding the Gauteng Department of Education and Department of Health accountable for their role in protecting our children’s health.