Food safety
By Lerato Mpembe
In a recent food safety blitz led by Gauteng Acting Premier Lebogang Maile, a South African shop owner and two employees were arrested in Soweto. The operation, targeting major retailers such as Shoprite and Pick n Pay, aimed to enforce health and safety bylaws across the region.
Inspection Details
The focus of the inspections shifted from local spaza shops to well-established outlets. During a visit to Supa Store, a prominent local business, authorities discovered several violations of food safety regulations. Expired and unlabeled food packages, improper food storage, and unsanitary conditions, including the presence of rat droppings and rotten meat, were found on the premises. 
Arrests and Violations
The store owner was arrested for contravening food safety regulations. Additionally, two employees, identified as Zimbabwean nationals, were arrested for violations of the Immigration Act due to their undocumented status. Raymond Martin, Gauteng’s Chief Director of Consumer Affairs and Compliance, noted that the employment of undocumented foreign nationals is a common issue in the province. He stated, “We are working closely with the Department of Labour to ensure that we root out this particular problem, to ensure that those who are employed in these stores are South Africans and not necessarily undocumented foreign nationals.” 
Government Response
Acting Premier Maile expressed disappointment in the findings, emphasizing that even well-established businesses must adhere to food safety standards. He remarked, “We are very disappointed in what we found at these stores; one would assume that they will uphold the food safety standards because they are well-established businesses.” 
Despite the violations, Maile indicated that the outlets would remain open, as the infractions did not warrant immediate closure. He emphasized that actions taken are guided by the law, stating, “You cannot close a store because of one product that is in bad condition out of a thousand other products. What we are doing is within the law, and we are going to do follow-up because we definitely do not want unfortunate incidents that we have seen in the last months where children lost their lives.” 
Presidential Directive
In response to a surge in foodborne illnesses, President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed informal food handlers and outlets to register their establishments. Failure to comply will result in closures. This directive follows the classification of foodborne illnesses linked to food poisoning as a national disaster. The registration deadline has been extended to February next year, instead of the original December 17 date. 
Public Health Concerns
The crackdown on food safety violations comes amid rising concerns over foodborne illnesses in Gauteng. In November alone, officials reported 441 cases of food poisoning across the province, with 23 fatalities, most of them children. The national government has classified foodborne illnesses as a national disaster, aiming to streamline efforts to address the crisis and prevent further casualties. 
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