The South African Cabinet has officially banned the importation of Terbufos, a highly toxic organophosphate pesticide, following its link to the tragic deaths of six children in Soweto’s Naledi area in 2023. The pesticide, commonly used in agriculture, has now been flagged as a severe public health threat due to its illegal circulation in informal markets, where it was misused as a street pesticide.
This decisive step was announced by Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, during a press briefing held on Thursday. The announcement followed the presentation of a comprehensive report by the interministerial committee on foodborne illnesses, which highlighted the dangers of Terbufos and similar organophosphate chemicals. Ntshavheni said the ban is aimed at preventing similar tragedies and safeguarding the public, especially vulnerable communities frequently exposed to informally sold toxic substances.
Terbufos is legally registered in South Africa strictly for agricultural use, but investigations after the Naledi incident revealed that the chemical was illegally repackaged and sold in townships as a rodenticide. The six children who died had consumed snacks from a spaza shop, which were later found to be contaminated with the chemical. The toxic pesticide, when mishandled, is capable of causing fatal poisoning—even in small amounts.
President Cyril Ramaphosa responded swiftly to the tragedy by initiating a national inspection campaign targeting informal food retailers. Health and safety inspectors tested samples from 84 spaza shops in the Naledi area, and three of them were found to have traces of Terbufos. Additionally, many of these outlets stored pesticides and detergents dangerously close to food items, raising serious concerns about cross-contamination and general food safety compliance.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) played a pivotal role in pushing for the ban, lobbying Parliament to remove Terbufos and other hazardous substances from legal circulation. The SAHRC emphasized that the widespread availability of such chemicals in informal settlements presents a direct threat to public health and undermines the rights of citizens—particularly children—to live in a safe environment.
While the Cabinet’s decision marks a major public health victory, experts have cautioned that this is only the beginning of a much-needed overhaul of the country’s pesticide regulations. Public health advocates are urging the government to review all pesticides currently approved for use, prioritize the banning of those proven to be harmful, and fully implement the 2010 pesticide policy, which has remained largely dormant. These reforms, they say, must go hand-in-hand with national food security strategies that reduce dependence on chemical pest control.
Minister Ntshavheni reaffirmed that tighter enforcement of regulations will be introduced to ensure that banned substances do not resurface in the informal market. She added that the government is working with municipalities and health departments to strengthen oversight, including random inspections, vendor education programs, and increased penalties for those found in possession of banned substances.
Environmental and food safety groups have also called on the government to boost consumer awareness on the risks posed by illegal street pesticides. Public education campaigns, they argue, are crucial in informing residents—particularly in township and rural areas—about the dangers of purchasing unregulated chemicals from informal vendors.
The ban on Terbufos is part of a wider government initiative to improve public safety and reduce preventable deaths caused by hazardous substances. South Africa has previously faced criticism for its lax approach to pesticide regulation and the unmonitored spread of illegal chemicals in poorer communities. With this ban now in effect, attention will shift to its enforcement and whether other dangerous substances may soon follow the same fate.
As the country mourns the loss of the six young lives in Soweto, the Cabinet’s move is a clear indication that the government is taking the issue seriously. But stakeholders agree: the journey toward a safer, more regulated chemical environment is still far from over.
