Authorities have confirmed the discovery of Terbufos, a highly toxic agricultural pesticide, hidden in the ceiling of a spaza shop in Diepkloof, Soweto.
Story Summary
- Authorities discovered Terbufos, a deadly pesticide, hidden at the Diepkloof spaza shop linked to the death of five-year-old Siyabonga Mnisi.
- The incident has left three other children hospitalised and sparked renewed outrage over unsafe practices in informal food retail.
- Investigations are ongoing, with community members demanding stricter oversight and accountability.
Raid on spaza shop linked to Siyabonga Mnisi sparks outrage
This is the same shop linked to the tragic death of five-year-old Siyabonga Mnisi, a Grade R learner from Dumezweni Primary School, who died after consuming snacks allegedly purchased from the establishment.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), speaking at a media briefing on Thursday morning, reported that Siyabonga passed away on Wednesday, 20 November 2024, while three of his peers were hospitalised with severe symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea.
The children, who live in the same yard and were playing together, fell ill shortly after eating snacks bought at the shop.
According to Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane, the incident has deeply affected the local school community.
“Psychosocial services have been deployed to Dumezweni Primary School to support both learners and staff during this difficult time,” he said.
The discovery of Terbufos has reignited national concerns over the safety of food sold at spaza shops, particularly in townships, and prompted the government to declare foodborne illnesses a national disaster.
The toxic substance is banned for household use and has been implicated in similar food poisoning cases across the country.
Terbufos and its deadly consequences
According to the African Centre for Biodiversity, Terbufos, classified as an agricultural pesticide, is meant strictly for industrial use, such as pest control in crops.
The substance is banned from domestic use due to its lethal effects, even in small doses.
When ingested, it can cause nausea, diarrhoea, and respiratory distress, often leading to fatalities.
In recent months, Terbufos has been found in informal trading spaces, raising alarm about its misuse.
Investigators suspect that some traders may be using the substance to protect food supplies from rodents, inadvertently contaminating food products.
This discovery follows other tragic incidents in the country, including deaths linked to Aldicarb, another toxic pesticide found at spaza shops.
These incidents have prompted government crackdowns on non-compliant establishments, particularly in impoverished areas where access to regulated goods is limited.
