The South African government has shut down 1,041 small retail outlets in a bid to protect consumers from consuming food tainted with pesticides, which has led to the tragic deaths of 38 children across the country.

In line with this effort, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration has extended the registration deadline for these stores, known as spaza shops, to February 28. This delay is intended to give the government more time to formulate regulations for these businesses, as stated by Velenkosini Hlabisa, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, during a press briefing on Wednesday.

Read: SA declares food poisonings a national disaster

The number of child fatalities due to food poisoning has risen to 38 from 22 in just one month, as noted by Tebello Mosikili, the police deputy national commissioner, at the same briefing. Additionally, three adults have also lost their lives. Chemicals such as Terbufos, which are meant for agricultural use, are often used in these stores as pesticides to tackle rodent issues in townships. When mishandled, these chemicals can contaminate food products.

Read: Spaza shops and Stilfontein: Addressing the gaps that led to the crisis

In reaction, Ramaphosa plans to strengthen regulations and protocols regarding the tracking, repacking, and sale of pesticides, insecticides, and food items. A panel of fifteen health specialists has been formed to devise medium-to-long-term strategies aimed at decreasing the prevalence of foodborne illnesses in the country, Hlabisa indicated.

Read: Nelson Mandela Bay’s mayor focuses on immigrant-owned spaza shops

According to Ramaphosa, there have been 890 reported instances of foodborne illnesses across all nine provinces of the nation as of November 15.

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