ATM concerned over interventions highlighted by President Ramaphosa

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has raised concerns over the interventions highlighted by President Cyril Ramaphosa to tackle the rise in foodborne illnesses that have resulted in the deaths of at least 22 children in the country.

Ramaphosa addressed the nation after several communities went on the rampage, calling for action following the hospitalisation of numerous children across the country after they were suspected to have ingested contaminated food bought from spaza shops.

The ATM says local governments ought to be maintaining clean and safe environments as well as ensuring compliance by retailers already.

The party adds that there should be no need for the President to announce interventions that should already be standard practice.

Food Poisoning | President Cyril Ramaphosa lists interventions to combat crisis:

ATM Spokesperson, Zama Ntshona expalains, “We simply regard the speech of President Ramaphosa as an admission of guilt by the ANC that they have fully and truly dropped the ball over the past 30 years and rendered the state to a point of paralysis. The solutions that are brought forth are common practices that are found within the key performance areas of the various directories.

The President said yesterday that port of entries must check for hazardous material. If not doing that on a daily basis, what are our port of entries doing? Registration of businesses. Institutions responsible for that. If they are not doing that on a daily basis, what are they doing?

The check for compliance of manufacturers, distributors and outlets. Functionality of municipalities who are supposed to keep municipalities clean. If they are not doing that on a daily basis and now these must come as a recommendation, what are they doing on a daily basis?”