Ramaphosa sets out initial phase in fight against use of dangerous pesticides in SA homes
He said this stage will bring together the country’s military, environmental health practitioners, the police service, the National Consumer Council, and labour inspectors.
FILE: President Cyril Ramaphosa gave the keynote address at the 24th National Teaching Awards held at the Birchwood Hotel in Kempton Park on 5 October 2024. Picture: @GovernmentZA/X
JOHANNESBURG - Following a special Cabinet meeting, President Cyril Ramaphosa has set out the initial phase in the fight against the use of dangerous pesticides in South African homes.
He said this stage will bring together the country’s military, environmental health practitioners, the police service, the National Consumer Council, and labour inspectors.
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The president said even those who manufacture a product like Terbufos will be scrutinised.
“To ensure that no products are diverted into the non-agricultural market, the supply chain process for distribution and sale of Terbufos will be investigated to ensure that controls are being adhered to and that there is accountability for who they sell to.”
Terbufos, a class of organophosphates has been linked to the deaths of six children in Naledi, Soweto.
Ramaphosa said it is important to understand this is not a problem confined to just spaza shops.
“The unregulated use of restricted pesticides in communities has become a growing problem, with devastating consequences. In many townships, another chemical, Aldicarb, and an organophosphate known as Galephirimi are commonly sold by street vendors and hawkers to control rat infestations.”
In a bid to curb misinformation, the president said there is no deliberate campaign to poison the country’s children and no evidence that it is just linked to shops owned by foreign nationals.