COGTA classifies rising foodborne illnesses as national disaster
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa announced during a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday.
COGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa on 21 November 2024 among ministers leading the multidisciplinary teams in government responsible for the national response to instances of food borne illnesses. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - Foodborne illnesses linked to the death of several children nationwide have been classified as a national disaster.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa announced during a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday.
This will make it easy and fast for the government to declare foodborne illnesses a national disaster if necessary.
Hlabisa added this will allow resources to be unleashed quickly to deal with the issue.
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"The classification helps to activate all structures and all departments to start taking action in relation to the challenge on hand. So, it is sufficient as a base," said Hlabisa.
Hlabisa has not ruled out the possibility of the classification escalating to a national disaster.
"But if you want to escalate the response, you go to a declaration of a disaster. It has far-reaching implications because you need to mobilise soldiers and you need to go wide if you want to go to a state of disaster. But in terms of COGTA, we are working towards the declaration of disaster but we are being guided by the developments and all necessary steps that must be met before you declare a disaster," he said.