Cape Town โ The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) was saddened by the death of five children who allegedly consumed food from a spaza ship in Naledi, Soweto.
However, the party condemned the comments made by the Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who said it was the duty of South Africans to decide whether to buy goods from spaza shops.
“We must decide as a society that we are not buying at the spaza shops. We are not buying at spaza shops where we are not sure where they are buying their products. We are not buying at spaza shops where spaza shops are not registered in their municipalities,โ she said.
In a statement, the ACDP disagreed with the minister’s sentiments and said it was unreasonable to expect any customers, especially children, to perform duties that the government should be responsible for.
“Moreover, it is not the duty of citizens to verify that the food they purchase or consume is prepared in a facility that adheres to health and safety standards. This responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of health, environment, trade, industry, and competition departments, and small business development,” ACDP President, Rev Kenneth Meshoe, said.
๐๐๐๐ฃ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟโ๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ๐
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) is saddened by the deaths of the five children in Naledi who allegedly consumed poisoned snacks from a spaza shop. On behalf of the ACDP,โฆ pic.twitter.com/X6VZ9MwgRV
โ ACDP South Africa (@A_C_D_P) October 11, 2024
ACDP said it was irresponsible for the Minister to propose that the public check the validity of spaza shops, as it could lead to tension and violence.
“The ACDP urges the government, especially the responsible ministers and their departments, to fulfil their duties. They must ensure that all consumable products available to the public are produced in acceptable conditions that comply with health, environmental and safety standards,” he said.
“We implore health and environmental inspectors to conduct regular checks on spaza shops and manufacturing facilities, particularly those run by foreign nationals, to ensure compliance, and to confirm that business licenses are legitimate, valid, and displayed given the public,” he added.
The ACDP also called on municipalities to revoke the license of spaza shops and food manufacturers that do not meet basic health requirements and health and safety standards.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
