Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi commended his provincial government for the great work after being in office for 100 days. Picture: Motshwari M ofokeng
The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) said it will deploy an experienced team of food inspectors to monitor spaza shops in townships in the province.
This comes after six children died in Naledi, Soweto after eating snacks they bought from a local store owned by a foreign national.
This caused an uproar in Soweto after the residents accused the owner of selling contaminated food to their children.
However, the Department of Health clarified that the snacks were not the cause of death for the deceased children.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told the media earlier this week that a chemical known as Organophosphate was the cause of death of six Soweto children.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi that his government's unwavering commitment is to protect the health and economic interests of Gauteng residents.
“We are mobilising food inspectors throughout the province to prevent the sale of expired foods to our children and to ensure proper registration of all spaza shops in our areas,” he said.
He made the remarks reflecting on the first 100 days since the establishment of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).
He also commended the government for holding the fort to the highest standard in terms of efficiency and quality of their work.
Lesufi stated that Finance MEC Lebogang Maile has been criss-crossing the province, engaging with local businesspeople and communities to find people-driven solutions to this challenge.
“We are also strengthening the “Qondis’ishishini Lakho—Fix Your Business” campaign as part of our efforts to ensure business compliance in townships, informal settlements, hostels, and CBDs,” he said.
Meanwhile, the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) has also promised to intervene in the matter and ensure that children are safe.
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IOL Politics
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