IN a damning revelation, the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade has exposed glaring gaps in South Africa’s food safety regulations, following a series of devastating food-borne illness outbreaks that have claimed the lives of children and left hundreds hospitalised.

The crisis, which has gripped provinces including Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape, has sparked urgent calls for stricter oversight, better regulation, and immediate action to protect vulnerable communities.

The Committee, chaired by the DA’s Sonja Boshoff, convened recently to address the escalating crisis. Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, Parks Tau, acknowledged the severity of the situation, extending condolences to affected families while admitting that the outbreaks were not only a public health challenge but also a tragic failure of regulatory systems.

“The prevalence of food poisoning incidents linked to spaza shops poses significant health risks to consumers and undermines trust in this business system,” Tau said. He cited inadequate food handling practices, poor storage conditions, and a lack of hygiene awareness as key contributors to the crisis.

The Committee highlighted the unregulated nature of spaza shops, particularly in underserved areas like QwaQwa, where these informal stores are often the only source of daily groceries for residents. The ANC’s Mapule Dhlamini emphasised the dire conditions in these shops, saying: “The population in QwaQwa relies entirely on spaza shops for their daily food needs. Extending inspections to this area is critical.”

However, the problem extends beyond hygiene. The PA’s Bino Jan Farmer raised concerns about foreign ownership of spaza shops and the bureaucratic hurdles faced by local entrepreneurs. “It’s difficult for locals to operate legally, while foreign-owned shops often operate with little regulation. This is unacceptable,” he said.

In response to the crisis, the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC) has established a R500 million fund to support locally owned spaza shops. The fund, administered by the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (Sedfa), aims to provide financial and non-financial support, including business training, regulatory compliance assistance, and infrastructure refurbishment.

Acting deputy Director-General of the DTIC, Susan Mangole, outlined the initiative’s goals: “We aim to strengthen locally-owned spaza shops, enhance their operational efficiency, and ensure they can access competitive pricing through strategic partnerships.”

However, questions remain about the fund’s effectiveness. The FF+’s Hendrik van den Berg warned of potential corruption and fronting, stating: “Once money becomes available, there’s always the risk of fronting. How will the Department protect the fund from malicious actors?”

The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) currently inspects only fish, canned meats, and processed meats. Acting chief executive of the NRCS, Duncan Mutengwe, acknowledged the need for expanded oversight, particularly in high-risk areas like spaza shops. “Our regulatory approach is predominantly preventative, but we also react to market failures,” he said.

Yet, committee members expressed frustration with the slow pace of inspections. The ANC’s Mary Ndlangisa-Makaula described the situation as moving at "snail's pace", citing unregulated food production facilities operating in filthy conditions. “How far will the Department go to ensure products are manufactured in regulated environments?” she asked.

The committee also questioned the effectiveness of public awareness campaigns on food safety. Dhlamini highlighted the lack of awareness about hotlines for reporting food safety issues. “Many people are not aware of these hotlines. If such platforms exist, the Department must communicate this information effectively,” she said.

Acting Commissioner of the National Consumer Commission (NCC), Hardin Ratshisusu, admitted that the NCC lacked funds for large-scale marketing campaigns. “We need creative ways to ensure the public knows about our hotline. It’s not just for crises but for general consumer complaints,” he said.

The crisis has exposed systemic failures in South Africa’s food safety regulations. Tau acknowledged the need for a more coordinated approach, including the potential use of barcodes to track products in spaza shops. “Using barcodes could make it easier to intervene when expired or illicit products are found,” he said.

However, the minister’s assurances did little to quell the committee’s concerns. Boshoff emphasised the need for stronger oversight and accountability. “We need comprehensive regulatory measures to protect consumers, especially in the informal sector. Government agencies must fulfil their mandates with transparency and urgency,” she said.

As the meeting concluded, the committee resolved to submit further questions in writing, demanding detailed responses within seven days. The food-borne illness crisis is not just a public health issue—it is a matter of life and death for thousands of South Africans.

The question remains: Will the government’s response be enough to prevent further tragedies, or will the slow pace of reform continue to cost lives? For now, the ball is in the DTIC’s court, and South Africa watches with bated breath.

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Calls for action as food-borne illnesses claim lives