In 2024, 23 children tragically lost their lives due to food-borne poisoning after consuming food purchased from spaza shops owned by undocumented immigrants. Beyond these heartbreaking deaths, hundreds more fell gravely ill, causing widespread fear and anger in affected communities. To date, only 4 people were arrested for this tragedy.
Whilst we acknowledge the steps taken to reregister spaza shops, we believe this calamity necessitates a thorough investigation and corresponding consequence management.
ActionSA has, consequently, written to the Gauteng Premier to institute a Commission of Inquiry in terms of Section 127(2)(e) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, to delve deeper into the circumstances that led to these fatalities and illnesses, as well as to identify systemic gaps in Gauteng’s food safety regulations and enforcement mechanisms.
For families who lost their children, these are not just statistics but lives lost and futures destroyed. We believe that those found responsible ought to be held accountable for the deaths that put the province into a trance. Looking at the 10% rate of approvals for spaza shops applications, it clearly shows that much still needs to be done to ensure compliance.
This Commission of Inquiry would serve to:
– Provide closure and answers to grieving families.
– Restore public confidence in government’s ability to protect residents from preventable harm.
– Formulate actionable recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
We have also suggested terms of reference for the Commission which would include, but not limited to:
– Investigating the causes of the food contamination and identifying the specific sources.
– Examining the adequacy and enforcement of current food safety regulations and by-laws, including the role of municipal and provincial authorities.
– Assessing the proliferation of unregulated and illegal food vendors, particularly in vulnerable communities.
– Recommending urgent policies, regulatory reforms, and enforcement mechanisms to strengthen food safety standards and protect public health in Gauteng.
As a constructive opposition, our objective is not just to point out failures but to also provide alternatives. ActionSA stands prepared to collaborate with the office of the Premier, relevant departments and other political parties to ensure that the objectives of this inquiry are achieved in a non-partisan and transparent manner.
Considering the continued risks to public health and mounting community anxiety, we have requested that this Commission be established without delay and be given a clear timeline for its investigations and recommendations.
Public representatives have a constitutional, moral and ethical duty to safeguard the lives and dignity of our citizens, especially our children who are amongst the most vulnerable in our society. This is a responsibility that ActionSA treats with the utmost reverence.
ActionSA Calls for Commission of Inquiry, Accountability and Consequence Management Over the Deaths of Schoolchildren Due to Food-borne Illnesses
In 2024, 23 children tragically lost their lives due to food-borne poisoning after consuming food purchased from spaza shops owned by undocumented immigrants. Beyond these heartbreaking deaths, hundreds more fell gravely ill, causing widespread fear and anger in affected communities. To date, only 4 people were arrested for this tragedy.
Whilst we acknowledge the steps taken to reregister spaza shops, we believe this calamity necessitates a thorough investigation and corresponding consequence management.
ActionSA has, consequently, written to the Gauteng Premier to institute a Commission of Inquiry in terms of Section 127(2)(e) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, to delve deeper into the circumstances that led to these fatalities and illnesses, as well as to identify systemic gaps in Gauteng’s food safety regulations and enforcement mechanisms.
For families who lost their children, these are not just statistics but lives lost and futures destroyed. We believe that those found responsible ought to be held accountable for the deaths that put the province into a trance. Looking at the 10% rate of approvals for spaza shops applications, it clearly shows that much still needs to be done to ensure compliance.
This Commission of Inquiry would serve to:
– Provide closure and answers to grieving families.
– Restore public confidence in government’s ability to protect residents from preventable harm.
– Formulate actionable recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
We have also suggested terms of reference for the Commission which would include, but not limited to:
– Investigating the causes of the food contamination and identifying the specific sources.
– Examining the adequacy and enforcement of current food safety regulations and by-laws, including the role of municipal and provincial authorities.
– Assessing the proliferation of unregulated and illegal food vendors, particularly in vulnerable communities.
– Recommending urgent policies, regulatory reforms, and enforcement mechanisms to strengthen food safety standards and protect public health in Gauteng.
As a constructive opposition, our objective is not just to point out failures but to also provide alternatives. ActionSA stands prepared to collaborate with the office of the Premier, relevant departments and other political parties to ensure that the objectives of this inquiry are achieved in a non-partisan and transparent manner.
Considering the continued risks to public health and mounting community anxiety, we have requested that this Commission be established without delay and be given a clear timeline for its investigations and recommendations.
Public representatives have a constitutional, moral and ethical duty to safeguard the lives and dignity of our citizens, especially our children who are amongst the most vulnerable in our society. This is a responsibility that ActionSA treats with the utmost reverence.