Eastern Cape Food-Poisoning Tragedy Shows State Failure to Keep Children Safe
Press Statement by Dr. Kgosi Letlape MP
ActionSA Member of Parliament
ActionSA is deeply shocked by the alleged deaths of two children and the further hospitalisation of five more children following suspected food poisoning in the Msintsi Location, as well as Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape. A tragedy that should shock every South African to their core. This is not the first time we have seen an incident like this, and if no action is taken, it won’t be the last.
It is profoundly disheartening that we sit in a Parliament under a government where children are no longer safe to walk down the street and buy basic food items without risking their lives. A child should never die from buying sweets at a local shop – as it is alleged to have happened in this situation.
This tragedy is unfortunately not an isolated incident and it forms part of a disturbing pattern linked to the rapid growth of illicit and unregulated markets, including within the food supply chain. The failure to properly inspect shops, enforce hygiene standards, and ensure that food sold to the public is safe has yet again had fatal consequences.
Government cannot continue to respond with platitudes and reactive statements after children have already lost their lives. South Africans deserve clear answers on how this was allowed to happen and, more importantly, what concrete and permanent measures will be implemented to prevent it from happening again.
This is a failure of government at every level with the failure of regular inspections, oversight and registration of shops leading to these shocking incidents. When parents can no longer trust that their children are safe performing the most ordinary daily activities, it is clear that the state is failing in its most basic responsibility of protecting its people.
It is time for this government to step up and account. Children must be protected and communities must be made safe. Those responsible for allowing dangerous, illicit food products into our neighbourhoods must be held to account without delay.
Eastern Cape Food-Poisoning Tragedy Shows State Failure to Keep Children Safe
ActionSA is deeply shocked by the alleged deaths of two children and the further hospitalisation of five more children following suspected food poisoning in the Msintsi Location, as well as Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape. A tragedy that should shock every South African to their core. This is not the first time we have seen an incident like this, and if no action is taken, it won’t be the last.
It is profoundly disheartening that we sit in a Parliament under a government where children are no longer safe to walk down the street and buy basic food items without risking their lives. A child should never die from buying sweets at a local shop – as it is alleged to have happened in this situation.
This tragedy is unfortunately not an isolated incident and it forms part of a disturbing pattern linked to the rapid growth of illicit and unregulated markets, including within the food supply chain. The failure to properly inspect shops, enforce hygiene standards, and ensure that food sold to the public is safe has yet again had fatal consequences.
Government cannot continue to respond with platitudes and reactive statements after children have already lost their lives. South Africans deserve clear answers on how this was allowed to happen and, more importantly, what concrete and permanent measures will be implemented to prevent it from happening again.
This is a failure of government at every level with the failure of regular inspections, oversight and registration of shops leading to these shocking incidents. When parents can no longer trust that their children are safe performing the most ordinary daily activities, it is clear that the state is failing in its most basic responsibility of protecting its people.
It is time for this government to step up and account. Children must be protected and communities must be made safe. Those responsible for allowing dangerous, illicit food products into our neighbourhoods must be held to account without delay.