Some Gauteng residents have been living in fear after using what they thought were counterfeit condoms sold at spaza shops dotted across the province.
An investigation by IOL has been under way to verify the authenticity of Trust condoms, specifically the "studded" variety with sky-blue packaging.
In Sunnyside, residents expressed concerns about differences in the packaging, sparking panic and the compromised quality of the condoms.
One of them, Desmond Mpofu, shared his experiences after noticing discrepancies in the packaging of the condoms bought at a spaza shop along Reitz Street in Sunnyside.
Mpofu, a father of four, used one of the potentially counterfeit condoms and immediately went to get an HIV test due to concerns about the condom's authenticity.
He observed a discrepancy in the labelling on the packaging of condoms sold at spaza shops compared to those sold at pharmacies.
Sex workers in the Hillbrow area said they have been aware of the “fake condoms” being sold at spaza shops.
To protect themselves, they have been using government-issued condoms, which they trust to be safe and effective.
One sex worker, Sibo, a mother of two, shared her concerns about the fake condoms.
“I use government-issued condoms because my friends and I are well aware that we cannot trust these condoms sold at spaza shops. They are fake, and no one knows their origin,” she said.
IOL's investigation led to the discovery of suspicious condom packs being sold in multiple areas, including Atteridgeville, Tembisa, Mamelodi, Joburg CBD, Pretoria central, and Soweto.
A closer examination revealed distinct differences between the counterfeit and genuine condoms.
The counterfeit condoms, purchased from spaza shops, had unsealed boxes that could be reused, whereas the authentic Trust brand condoms from reputable stores had tightly sealed boxes for single use.
The packaging of genuine Trust condoms bears the label "Compliant with World Health Organisation (WHO) specifications" and specifies the type as "studded" or "smooth" whereas the suspicious packs are labelled "WHO compliant" without indicating the variety.
Approached for comment, the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) said: “Producing condoms in South Africa involves a detailed process to ensure they meet safety, quality, and regulatory standards. Requirements for packaging of condoms are stated in ISO 4074:2015/SANS 4074:2017.”
The authority responsible for the promotion and maintenance of standardisation and quality in connection with commodities in the country also commented on the glaring differences on the packaging.
It stated that SANS4074 approved condom boxes will be written "Compliant with WHO specifications", and they will be labelled “studded” or “smooth”.
“The counterfeit condoms will be WHO compliant and will be dull and very fragile. This means that there is a SABS mark scheme [being] abused by producers of fake condoms," the entity said.
Regarding the sealing of the individual boxes containing three condoms, SABS said ISO/SANS 4074 details sealing specifications for condom wraps but not for condom boxes.
“However, consumers must shy away from products that are defective or look like their quality has been compromised,” SABS responded.
Authentic condoms must comply with SANS 4074 and include specific labelling requirements, such as Type or texture (studded or smooth), SABS certification mark (if certified), expiry date and batch number and manufacturer’s details.
The SABS raised concerns about condoms that lack crucial information, which may indicate non-compliance with safety standards.
Specifically, SABS has flagged condoms with packaging that reads "WHO compliant" as this phrasing might be misleading.
The WHO doesn't directly certify products, but instead provides technical specifications for condoms that manufacturers must meet.
A more accurate label would read "Compliant with WHO specifications" indicating that the product has undergone testing to meet WHO's international safety and quality guidelines.
Regarding the dull packaging of condoms sold at spaza shops, SABS notes that ISO/SANS 4074 specifications allow for variations in color and design. However, the dullness and lack of glossiness on these packages are suspicious.
SABS is deeply concerned about the possible circulation of counterfeit condoms, which pose significant health and safety risks to the public. While SABS ensures products meet standards before certification, it lacks the authority to enforce compliance or remove non-compliant products from the market.
Health department spokesperson Foster Mohale warned that counterfeit condoms lack verified efficacy and pose severe public health risks.
"Counterfeit condoms pose severe public health risks, including the failure to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unwanted pregnancies, thus putting the lives of innocent consumers and users at risk,” he said.
The department, he said, advises community members to obtain condoms from public healthcare facilities, which offer them for free, or purchase them from reputable stores.
“We call upon anyone with information about the traders who sell fake condoms and other contraceptive methods to anonymously report to the Department of Health or nearest police station or the real manufacturer of such product,” said Mohale.
Pretoria News