Ramaphosa could address the nation today on food poisionings crisis

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa will hold a family meeting this week on the scourge of alleged food poisoning in the country.

Over 20 children have died and dozens hospitalised over the last few months after allegedly consuming snacks at tuckshops across the country.

The incidents have closed school tuckshops in several parts of South Africa, and led to the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee to look into the crisis.

Amid calls for the government to take a firm hand on the matter, Ntshavheni said the nation would soon hear from Ramaphosa.

“I am aware that there is a JCPS [Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security Cluster] ministerial committee that is going to meet again this afternoon to finalise the issues in preparation.”

“If we complete that work with sufficient time today for the president to address [the nation], he will address today or tomorrow. He will address the nation within this week in terms of the integrated manner of work.”

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‘Reckless, negligent spaza shops’ blamed

Speaking at a presidential imbizo in Umgababa, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) last week, Ramaphosa attributed the poisonings to “reckless, negligent and unscrupulous spaza shops” who keep hazardous chemicals within range of their food products.

“The police have already arrested some people in this regard, and at a government level our departments are seized with this matter,” the president said.

He said Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa had proclaimed the regulating of spaza shop’s licensing and cabinet was looking at the issue from health, agriculture, and policing perspectives.

“We are working round the clock to enable us to look very closely at the incidents that have been happening.

“I will be able to then make a statement on how we are going to deal with this matter to enable us to ensure that no further children die needlessly in our country.”

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