North West Legislature Economic Development Portfolio Committee Appeals for Calm and to Engage Department on Allegations of Death of Children from Poisonous Foods

The Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Tourism, Agriculture and Rural Development chaired by Hon. Bitsa Lenkopane is appealing to the North West Communities to remain calm after receiving calls and messages from the public panicking about the alleged death of children after allegedly consuming poisonous food or grocery items bought from the spaza shops.

The Committee is calling on the communities to also remain vigilant while further calling on the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism and other relevant stakeholders to investigate these horrifying allegations. “We are calling on the Department to do the inspections and furnish the Portfolio Committees with a detailed report which should indicate trader categories and their respective consumable products which are further extended to school learners. “These must include trader status, whether licensed or not, compliant with business regulation act or not, which must indicate the compliance with Immigration Act 13 of 2002 with regard to foreign owned business,” said Hon. Lenkopane.

The Portfolio Committee Chair has been inundated with calls from members of the community as shockwaves have engulfed the community with fear panicking about following media reports on children deaths from poisonous food items bought from spaza shops. “Whilst no formal and or authenticated information and evidence have been received, the Portfolio Committee has been receiving calls from panicking parents and community members seeking remedies to protect communities from alleged traders who sell them products containing deadly poison. “The department is urged to join hands and intensify the operation through district development model by thorough involvement with municipalities, and activation of the activists who will create awareness to ensure that communities understand that the state is in charge of such businesses,” she said.

The Portfolio Committee further urges the department to regularly communicate with communities through different platforms to ensure that they are accountable and responsible for all the operating businesses across the province, to reduce the amount of panic. The Portfolio Committee will rely on the report from the department that should be submitted within seven days and further engage communities on the work done and or systems in place including communication of the database of all businesses, regulated or not.

The Portfolio Committee equally appeal to communities to refrain from causing unnecessary unrest and rather report incidents and provide proof to nearest police services. They should also provide accurate information to any government officials who might be dealing with the situation.

For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson please contact Ms Namhla Luhabe on 079 527 0628.

Ends Issued by: North West Provincial Legislature: Media & Communications Unit on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Tourism, Agriculture & Rural Development – Hon Bitsa Lenkopane.

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