Could the current food poisoning crisis be State-sponsored?

In recent weeks, the South African public has witnessed shocking cases of chemical food poisoning severely affecting school children in townships after they had consumed snacks from spaza shops.

Over 20 African children have reportedly died while many more had to be hospitalised as a result of this ongoing crisis.

In its efforts to resolve this situation, the government has called for all spaza shops and food-handling facilities to register with their respective Municipalities as part of the measures to address the recurring food-borne illnesses.

Despite these efforts, Political Analyst and Writer Lunga Mrhetjha has cautioned against what could be the underlying motive for new regulations being implemented by the State.

RELATED STORY: Thuli Madonsela speaks out against closure of spaza shops.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Mrhetjha suggested that a major crisis is often needed to introduce massive changes in society.

“Before a massive change in society, there’s always a crisis. Then the state immediately steps in to ‘resolve’ it through a series of draconian laws that seem [to be] in your best interest but are really not. You’ll find out soon with these new Spaza Shops regulations,” he said.

The government’s interventions, President Cyril Ramaphosa explained last week, included getting hazardous pesticides off the street, protection of children from exposure to these substances, and the prevention of future outbreaks.

To ensure compliance, Ramaphosa ordered that all spaza shops and food-handling facilities must register with their respective municipalities within 21 days.

He further announced the immediate closure of spaza shops implicated in the deaths of children.

Meanwhile, Municipalities are expected to communicate to residents a complaints procedure that can be used to report illegal business practices.

According to the Immigration Act of 2002, it is a criminal offense to assist or enable an illegal foreigner to conduct any business in the Republic of South Africa.

It is also a criminal offense to assist an illegal foreigner to obtain a licence for him/her to conduct any business.

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