By Doreen Mokgolo
- Spaza shops must register by 28 February after more than 30 children have died from contaminated food since September.
- The government warns South Africans not to help illegal foreigners register shops in their names.
Spaza shop owners have less than two weeks left to register their businesses after more children die from eating contaminated food.
The deadline is 28 February and registration centres are open on weekdays in every municipality.
The latest victim was Azra Rahim from Brakpan, Ekurhuleni. She died on 30 January after eating Go-slow maize snacks bought from a tuckshop in Benoni.
Tests showed the snacks had terbufos, a poison used to kill rats and insects.
More than 30 children have died from food poisoning since September, forcing the government to demand all food shops register.
Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale warned that dangerous chemicals like terbufos and aldicarb (known as Galiphirimi) are not allowed in homes.
“Parents, schools and caregivers must ensure that children are kept safe and healthy from contaminated food products,” he said.
The department found that some illegal foreigners were getting locals to register shops in their names.
Mohale said this breaks the Immigration Act.
“It prohibits anyone, South African or foreign nationals from aiding, assisting and abetting illegal foreigners in any way, including registering a business on their behalf.”
He said foreigners who are in South Africa legally with proper papers must follow the rules of their status.
“Government will continue to monitor this as the deadline for registration looms, anyone found to be in contravention of the legal requirements will be subjected to the full might of the law,” said Mohale.
Pictured above: Spaza shop registration.
Image source: Doreen Mokgolo
