Zungula urges ministers to tackle sale of expired goods

President of the African Transformation Movement (ATM), Mr. Vuyolwethu Zungula, has written to the Minister of Health Joe Phaahla and the Minister of Small Businesses Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, seeking urgent intervention to address the issue of counterfeit and expired goods being sold to South African citizens.

In the letter, Zungula is appealing to the ministers to take immediate action that will safeguard the lives and well-being of South Africans, “particularly those residing in low-income communities.”

This, after a series of deaths that have reportedly occurred as a direct consequence of people consuming counterfeit and expired goods that have infiltrating the market.

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“These goods, often substandard and dangerous, pose a grave risk to the health and safety of our people. As leaders who are entrusted with the welfare of South African citizens, we cannot ignore the dire consequences of inaction,” Zungula’s letter read.

“This issue persists due to the lack of regulation and oversight in the industry, making it an attractive breeding ground for unscrupulous individuals who put profit ahead of human lives. South Africans deserve better, and it is our moral and constitutional duty to protect them from harm,” the letter continued.

Zungula challenged both ministries to mobilize inspectors that will monitor and investigate businesses involved in the sale of consumer products.

He also called for the establishment of a comprehensive regulatory framework that will not only deter those who engage in the illicit trade of counterfeit and expired goods but also hold them accountable through legal means.

The ATM leader has previously stated that if the fake foods allegedly sold by foreign nationals were killing white people, “the DA-led ANC government would have long addressed the atrocity.”

“But because it’s affecting black communities they aren’t concerned. That should tell you who’s interests they are serving,” Zungula wrote on X social networking platform.