Police to start random raids as Gauteng records more than 400 cases of suspected food poisoning

JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng has recorded a shocking 441 cases of food poisoning incidents across the province in recent months.  

This was revealed by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi during a media briefing on Sunday, where he also announced new by-laws aimed at regulating spaza shops.

Lesufi explained that police would conduct random raids to ensure compliance, while municipalities would be tasked with adopting and enforcing the new regulations.   

He emphasised that his government was focusing on protecting children from dangerous, unsafe food practices.  
  
"We've got 441 cases that have been reported across the province. Some of the people either were discharged, or they just showed the symptoms of vomiting, stomach aches, and related issues. So, we have got 441 cases that have been followed up by the Department of Health, and among them, we have 23 that have passed on," said Lesufi.

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The premier confirmed that all municipalities in the province had agreed to adopt and implement the new bylaws simultaneously to curb the crisis. 

"There's no one who's confused now, so we can arrest that situation ASAP. Twenty-three lives lost is too much, and we don’t want to add to that list. That is why health and education are here. We have identified those departments as areas that need our immediate support so they can protect us," he said.

Lesufi said the provincial government would soon require all spaza shops to re-register, a drive to be led by Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile. 

Meanwhile, Gauteng police will begin conducting random raids of spaza shops, starting on Monday.

They have been empowered to seize non-compliant stock, as part of a provincial effort to uncover the source of the contamination.