The Gauteng government has decided to ban the sale of Terbufos by unlicensed businesses, a pesticide which was found to have caused the recent deaths of six Soweto children.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi says only licensed businesses will be able to sell the pesticide also known as “halepherimi”. Lesufi was speaking in Johannesburg earlier today following a meeting with MECs, Mayors and MMCs on implementing By-Laws and regulations for the operation of spaza shops in the province.
The meeting comes amidst the spike in food-borne illnesses which have since claimed the lives of 23 children in the province, with 441 cases reported. Lesufi elaborates, “We have agreed on all of us that that substance is bent in our province and that it must not be found in shops. It must not be found in informal traders and the law enforcement agencies will assist us to eliminate it where possible. But for those that are authorized, the Department of Agriculture will be the way to the institution that will give the licensing and the permission to utilize that.