The recent spate of food poisoning cases among schoolchildren has ignited a heated debate on illegal foreign nationals operating businesses in the country.

Alarmingly, these incidents have predominantly involved victims who purchased food and snacks from spaza shops, many of which are owned and run by foreign nationals.

Finding their way into South Africa appears considerably easy for many citizens from neighbouring countries.

Nationals from Lesotho and Zimbabwe often travel across rivers or through less regulated border paths, making their way into the so-called “promised land”. Others simply bribe their way past border control.

While a number of these foreign nationals contribute positively to the economy, taking on jobs and tasks that many locals may shun, including informal trading, a concerning trend has emerged.

The issues surrounding food safety have escalated dramatically, with some operators allegedly dealing in expired and unsafe food products. The recent incidents, including the deaths of children in Naledi, Soweto, were reportedly linked to this unsafe food supply.

This highlights a damning reality: while many foreign nationals are earning an honest living, an alarming subset are profiting off unsafe practices that endanger the lives of children.

Spaza shop owners often purchase their stock from wholesalers, sometimes at dramatically reduced prices.

This practice, compounded by inadequate enforcement of food safety regulations, raises serious concerns about the integrity of food sold in these shops.

In the wake of the children’s deaths, there is a need for urgent reforms and rigorous enforcement by authorities.

May the deaths of the children from Naledi not be in vain; may authorities do all it takes to root out this monster that is stalking our children.

It is clear that improving food safety standards must move to the forefront of public discourse.

It is crucial for South Africa to establish robust strategies not only to ensure the health and safety of its children but also to create a sustainable framework that supports legal traders and consumers alike.

Cape Times