JOHANNESBURG — South Africa is addressing a significant public health crisis as unregistered pesticides, entering the country through illicit channels, pose a risk to the food chain. Toxicologist Dr. Gerhard Verdoorn has highlighted the potential health consequences, particularly for children, due to the unsafe use of these chemicals.
The illicit importation of these chemicals, primarily from neighboring countries like Zimbabwe and Mozambique, is a matter of concern. They are often sold to street vendors and used by local syndicates, who in turn sell them in bulk.
The conditions under which these pesticides are blended or manufactured are often unsanitary, with food contamination a common occurrence. Verdoorn noted that the chemicals find their way into foodstuffs, contaminating the food chain.
The tragic case of the 23 children poisoned, primarily due to the unregistered terbufos pesticide, underscores the gravity of the situation.
In response, the South African Department of Agriculture has gazetted a prohibition notice, banning the sale, acquisition, use, and disposal of agricultural remedies containing Terbufos. This action follows the deaths of six children in Soweto in 2024 due to exposure to the highly toxic pesticide.
The national disaster declared in November 2025 underscores the severity of the situation, with food-borne illnesses caused by unregistered pesticides becoming a public health concern.
The South African Pesticides Authority (SAPA) has been tasked with enforcing the ban and monitoring the market to prevent the sale or use of unregistered pesticides.
The crisis has also led to international attention, with the United Nations calling on South African authorities to take urgent action. Technical assistance has been offered to help implement effective control measures.
As the country battles this crisis, the focus must be on ensuring the safety of its citizens and protecting the food chain.
The government’s efforts to ban harmful pesticides and enforce regulations are a step in the right direction, but the challenge of eliminating illegal and unregistered pesticides from the market remains significant.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: enca
Source: Siya Tsewu
