In a decisive move to tackle the rising public health crisis, the South African government has officially classified foodborne illnesses as a national disaster. This declaration, made in response to the increasing prevalence of foodborne outbreaks, is set to activate national disaster management protocols aimed at mitigating the threat to public health.
Justice Minister Thembi Simelane confirmed that the National Disaster Management Centre has invoked Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act of 2002 to categorize foodborne illnesses as a national disaster. “This measure allows for swift national action and resource allocation to address the issue,” she stated at a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday.
In tandem with this declaration, the government has urged municipalities across the country to implement standardized by-laws aimed at improving the management of rural and township economies. These new regulations are designed to address key issues such as waste disposal, recycling, and promoting cleaner business environments—measures that will also help control rat infestations, which contribute to the spread of foodborne illnesses through the use of illegal and harmful chemicals like pesticides.
The Ministerial team tasked with overseeing the national response to foodborne illness outbreaks explained that these efforts are aligned with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s broader plan, announced last week, to combat health risks and environmental hazards. Officials emphasized that the expedited implementation of the by-laws will not only improve hygiene and waste management but also reduce reliance on dangerous pesticides, which have become prevalent in some communities dealing with rodent infestations.
Health experts will be appointed to the newly-formed Ministerial Advisory Committee, which will play a critical role in developing medium- and long-term prevention strategies to reduce the occurrence of foodborne illnesses across the country. In a further development, the Department of Health is revising the Notifiable Medical Conditions Regulations to ensure that the deaths of children aged 12 and under are formally reported, enabling more effective tracking and management of health risks.
The government also acknowledged the urgent need to address the shortage of environmental health inspectors, a gap that has hindered effective inspections in some districts and municipalities. Authorities are now working to bolster the capacity of these inspectors to ensure that public health standards are enforced nationwide.
Minister Simelane also warned against the illegal practice of aiding foreign nationals in fraudulently registering businesses in South Africa, a phenomenon referred to as “fronting.” She stressed that such actions are prohibited under the Immigration Act and urged citizens to refrain from assisting illegal foreign nationals in circumventing the country’s business registration processes.
The government’s swift and comprehensive response signals its commitment to addressing both the immediate health risks posed by foodborne illnesses and the broader issues affecting the business and environmental sectors.
