The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) in a statement has called on the City of Ekurhuleni and the Department of Health to conduct daily random raids at Spaza shops to decrease the chances of illegal pesticides poisoning people.
This statement follows the sharp rise of food poisoning incidents from locations in Ekurhuleni, as well as the case of four-year-old Enhle Mamfengu in Langaville, Tsakani which happened in October.
“The ACDP calls for daily random raids by health inspectors and law enforcement officers on all food outlets – including spaza shops,” said ACDP Councillor Linda Yates.
“Food poisoning must stop right now. This is an emergency and immediate action is needed,” Yates said.
The party mentioned that it had already asked the City of Ekurhuleni in October about the health inspections in spaza shops in Ekurhuleni, and it received the response that these are only conducted every three months.
“ACDP has therefore sent in follow-up questions concerning food storage. We would like to know if our environmental health inspectors actually enter spaza shops and inspect the conditions there,” said Yates.
She noted that the conditions of the spaza are of serious concern because it is a fact that many spaza owners do business through small barred windows, and there have been many reports of some of them firing weapons.
Yates added that the ACDP believes that inspection of food retail and manufacturing premises needs to be more rigorous and comprehensive.
She stated the most important thing was that legal action must be taken against all owners found to be flouting the law.
The ACDP has suggested that the inspection checks of spaza must be done within the perimeters of five specific points, mainly;
1) illegal insecticides/pesticides like alpirim are found in Spaza they should be confiscated,
2) Spaza selling illegal scheduled medicines be checked,
3) Where and how food is stored must be checked,
4) Where and how re-packaging of snacks is done must be checked, and, lastly 5) Where retailers buy their stock must be checked.
“Consumers have a right to safe food,” Yates said.
By Motshabi Hoaeane
