Vendors who don’t meet regulations won’t be allowed to sell to learners - GDE

JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Department of Education said vendors who do not meet stringent health and safety regulations will not be allowed to sell food to school learners.  

Earlier in November, the department banned informal traders from selling outside schools — a week later, it reversed this decision.  

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On Monday, Education MEC Matome Chiloane visited the family of an eight-year-old who died on Friday, allegedly after eating biscuits bought from a local spaza in Diepkloof, Soweto.  

Chiloane said the department will be placing higher standards for vendors to sell food to school pupils.  

“People will only open when they are approved. They will be approved by the municipalities, the Health Department, and they will also get an approval from us as a department for you to come and sell any foodstuff in our school because, at the end of the day, we will be expected to take responsibility if anything happens to any child within the school premises.”