​Koketso Maraba
 
The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) is steadfast in to reducing the risk of food borne incidences and fatalities by promoting safe food-handling behaviour, promoting the keeping of clean environments, and warning the public about the long-term impact of illegal dumping, including tackling compliance issues by shop owners selling perishable and non-perishable food items. 
As part of a stakeholder engagement programme the MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko led a multi-disciplinary response team this week conducting inspections at Diepkloof in Soweto on Tuesday, 26 November.
The team comprised of officials from the Gauteng Department of Health, Environmental Health Practitioners from municipalities, members of the mayoral committee from the City of Johannesburg, local leaders and non-governmental organisations. 
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko said "As government, we are concerned about the rising cases of food borne illnesses and the loss of innocent lives of children. We urge communities to prioritise food safety. Be vigilant about what you buy and eat. It is important to always check the packaging and expiry dates of snacks and food products. If something looks suspicious, do not buy it."
Richard Mothlamme a shop owner from Diepkloof said because of the regular inspections conducted by Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs), he is in the process of updating his compliance certificate and has learned the importance of keeping the original packaging of food items that are decanted into smaller packets so that these can always be shown to authorities when the need arise. 
The community engagement aimed to strengthen awareness of food safety issues and to mobilise communities and stakeholders to cooperate with the ongoing compliance program to prevent further foodborne illnesses. The team also conducted inspections at local spaza shops and supermarkets to ensure that they complied with health, safety, and acceptable consumer protection standards.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko pleaded with the community of Diepkloof to take up the responsibility of reporting unsafe food practices. "Your voice is crucial in ensuring that our community stays safe. If you notice any spaza shops or vendors not following health regulations, report them to local authorities," advised the MEC. 
During the store visits, six shops were inspected, and one was found to be non-compliant and subsequently closed. Additionally, another shop was discovered to be employing illegal migrants, who were detained by the Department of Home Affairs.
As part of the Corner-to-Corner campaign, the Gauteng Department of Health is raising awareness in communities about food safety. MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko urges communities to share the valuable information and knowledge gained through this initiative with children, ensuring that they too are equipped with essential food safety tips to stay informed and safe.
In addition, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko emphasised the importance of collaboration between government departments and shop owners to ensure compliance with by-laws, regulations and other related laws. This partnership is crucial in reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses in communities, yielding positive results by fostering a collective effort to maintain high standards of food safety.
Meanwhile, as Friday, 29 November, a total of 662 people have been affected by food-borne illnesses in Gauteng province since the beginning of this year resulting in 28 fatalities.