BULAWAYO councillors have called on the local authority to enforce strict food safety regulations amid concerns over rising cases of food poisoning in neighbouring South Africa, which has led to loss of lives.
More than 20 children have died and at least 890 incidents linked to food-borne illnesses have been reported in South Africa since September this year.
The South African government has revealed that the children ingested a hazardous chemical used as a pesticide known as Terbufos, which is an organophosphate chemical that is registered for agricultural use and is not sold for general household use.
The Matabeleland region, which comprises Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North and Bulawayo provinces, relies on food imported from neighbouring countries — South Africa and Botswana.
On Wednesday this week, Bulawayo ward 28 councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu raised the issue during a full council meeting calling on the local authority to take note of the deaths in South Africa.
Speaking to Southern Eye, Ndlovu said the issue of food safety at tuckshops and vending stalls was a matter of grave concern, particularly as many vendors relied on imports from South Africa.
“In light of the recent tragic deaths of children in South Africa due to contaminated food, it is imperative that we take proactive measures to protect our citizens.
“Food safety regulation must be strictly enforced at the local level with an emphasis on ensuring that all products sold in our shops meet the highest health standards,” he said.
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Ndlovu said it was not just an issue of public health, but also of trust in the country’s food supply system.
“South Africa has implemented various solutions to combat food contamination, enhancing traceability, testing procedures and increasing awareness among vendors. We must learn from these strategies and tailor them to our own context,” he said.
The councillor said inaction had huge implications and consequences for the health of citizens.
“Without proper oversight, we risk exposing our community, especially vulnerable children to serious health threats. This could lead to a public health crisis and long-term economic consequences,” he said.
Ndlovu said council should take immediate steps to ensure all vendors comply with food safety standards, including regular inspection, mandatory safety certificates for sellers and collaboration with health authorities.
“It is essential that we invest in educating both vendors and consumers about food safety. By addressing this issue, we can safeguard the well-being of our citizens while supporting responsible, safe business practices in our local economy,” he said.
Meanwhile, during the full council meeting, Ndlovu took the authorities to task over measures being implemented to protect citizens from purchasing contaminated food.
