Ramaphosa to address SA on govt's response to foodborne illnesses
President Cyril Ramaphosa is on Friday expected to address the nation on government’s response to the rise of foodborne illness cases.
FILE: President Cyril Ramaphosa engaging with members of the media following his Oral Reply to questions to the nation on various national developments during the hybrid sitting of the National Council of Provinces held at the National Council of Provinces in Cape Town on 12 September 2024. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday evening address the nation on government’s response to foodborne illnesses that have claimed the lives of mostly children across the country.
His address comes as government attempts to clamp down on the use of terbufos, an ingredient of a toxic organophosphate permitted for use in the agricultural sector. However, it's being used to kill pests in households.
The same chemical is believed to have caused the deaths of at least 12 children in one month, including six in Naledi, Soweto after eating snacks purchased at different spaza shops.
Pleas from across the country for South Africa's number one citizen to address a crisis currently unfolding seem to have finally been heard.
Ramaphosa will address the nation on Friday, elaborating on plans his government has to curb the use of the potent toxin.
EWN understands his approach will involve all spheres of government, with the municipalities expected to step up when it comes to the enforcement of by-laws and the regulation of spaza shops.
Some have raised concerns that this might be too big a task and that suppliers who make terbufos readily available also need to be targeted.
Those answers are likely to come from the president when he addresses the nation at 7:30pm.