ANCWL in WC calls for banning deadly pesticide - organophosphate

CAPE TOWN - The African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL) in the Western Cape has added its voice to calls for the banning of a restricted pesticide known as organophosphate. 

The pesticide has been identified as the cause of the deaths of six children in Naledi, Soweto. 

More than 10 children have died in Gauteng since October due to suspected food contamination. 

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

While no such incidents have been reported in the Western Cape, the ANCWL in the province says it can't fold arms while children are dying. 

Its secretary Thozama Bevu has called on the government to address the regulatory failures of the use of the organophosphate pesticide. 

"We also call on the departments of health and education to embark on an awareness drive about this and also urge communities to also guard items bought at local spaza shops and school vendors etc."