Note to Editors: Please find a soundbite from DA MPL, Sergio Isa Dos Santos here.
Despite the process of regulating spaza shops, an 8-year-old boy in Mapetla, Soweto, has been hospitalised for alleged food poisoning from snacks bought at a local shop. This incident underscores the dire consequences of failing to enforce food safety standards across the province.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng will write to the MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, demanding a detailed report on enforcing spaza shop regulations.
Recent statistics disclosed by MEC Maile reveal that over 15,000 spaza shops and food-handling facilities in Gauteng are non-compliant, with only 4,610 Certificates of Acceptability issued out of 17,617 applications received. Although more than 31,000 inspections have been conducted across municipalities, thousands of shops remain unregulated, posing a significant risk to public health.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi has promised to introduce new regulations intended to improve food safety. This recent food poisoning incident indicates that these measures have not been implemented. As a result, Gauteng residents, especially children, continue to be victims of food poisoning.
The DA demands accountability and transparency in addressing this crisis. The tragic deaths of 23 children last year were attributed to the presence of hazardous organophosphate chemicals highlighting the urgent need for all municipalities to intensify inspections and close non-compliant establishments.
A DA-led provincial government would prioritise community health by implementing stricter oversight mechanisms, ensuring that all food-handling facilities adhere to safety standards, and holding municipal officials accountable for negligence. The safety of Gauteng residents must never be compromised by regulatory failures.