Agri Minister Steenhuisen says lab tests confirmed chemical responsible for child deaths not made locally

JOHANNESBURG - Laboratory tests have revealed that the chemical responsible for the deaths of several children across the country was imported from a neighbouring nation.

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen confirmed at a media briefing on Thursday that there was no evidence suggesting the chemical was produced locally.

The substance in question has been identified as Terbufos, a highly toxic pesticide commonly used in the agriculture sector to kill insects.

There are only five companies in South Africa that are authorised to manufacture and distribute Terbufos to the agricultural sector.

READ: Department of Agriculture set to inspect SA's 5 factories producing Terbufos

But Steenhuisen said there was no indication that the companies unlawfully distributed the chemical to the wrong hands.

"It is my view and opinion, and I imagine it will be confirmed shortly, that the Terbufos that has been found in South African spaza shops does not emanate from local manufacturers. If one looks at the pictures of what has been found in the spaza shops, it differs quite significantly from the colour and texture of locally produced Terbufos."

Despite being strictly restricted for agricultural use, Terbufos was found to be sold illegally at a shopping centre in Johannesburg.

It was at this location that some spaza shop owners admitted to purchasing the highly toxic pesticide.