Law Enforcement Urged to Tackle Expired Food

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has urged law enforcement to clamp down on local spaza shops selling expired food. This comes after the tragic deaths of five children due to food poisoning from items bought at a local spaza shop.

In a concerning revelation last month, the Gauteng Health Department reported 207 cases of food poisoning among children since February this year, leading to the deaths of at least 10 children.

The committee expressed deep sadness over the deaths of the schoolchildren and emphasised the need for stricter enforcement of bylaws to prevent the sale of expired and harmful goods. They highlighted the particular vulnerability of township areas, where many spaza shops, including those owned by illegal foreign nationals, operate without proper monitoring by Metro Police or other relevant authorities.

“The committee strongly condemns the ongoing sale of expired and fake goods, which pose a serious risk to the health and safety of our communities, especially children. The irresponsible behaviour of some spaza shop owners, who prioritise profits over the wellbeing of the community, is intolerable,” the committee said in a statement.

The committee called on the Department of Health and law enforcement agencies to take urgent action to prevent further loss of life. It urged Metro Police Departments across municipalities to rigorously enforce bylaws and ensure spaza shops comply with legal standards, particularly concerning the sale of consumable goods.

The committee also stressed the importance of regular inspections by law enforcement to ensure compliance and swift action against those found in violation. In addition, they called on the Department of Health to intensify health inspections and ensure that food sold in these shops is safe and within its expiry date.

The statement further criticised law enforcement agencies for their failure to conduct regular inspections, contributing to the ongoing issue of food poisoning. The committee emphasised that these lapses in monitoring pose a threat to public health and safety, particularly for vulnerable children.

The committee also encouraged community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to the sale of expired or counterfeit goods. “Together, we must act to protect our communities, especially our children, from such senseless tragedies.”

They concluded by pledging continued engagement with stakeholders to ensure swift action is taken and necessary measures are implemented to safeguard the health and safety of Gauteng residents.