PRETORIA - The Public Protector has released a preliminary report into the investigations into the deaths of children linked to contaminated snacks from spaza shops and street vendors.
In the preliminary report, Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka said Gauteng municipalities failed to adhere to food safety policies.
Gcaleka said her office received complaints to look at specific individuals for the sale of contaminated and spoilt food. However, the office decided to expand the investigation to look at the role of municipalities, provincial governments and other stakeholders who play a role.
The office has written to the Gauteng provincial government, Gauteng municipalities, the National Commissioner of Police, SARS and the Health Department to respond to their roles, or the lack thereof, in ensuring the upholding of food safety and hygiene policies.
READ: Public Protector to release food poisoning probe report
Gcaleka also said that there had been a violation of the Immigration Act, where documents were not properly checked. Tax compliance certificates were also not effectively checked.
"It is a matter where we lost lives as a country, which includes the lives of children," said Gcaleka.
She said the broader picture shows an ineffective system of enforcement of prescriptions regulating compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.
Gcaleka said people mentioned in the report have been allowed to respond. Their responses will be added to the Public Protector's final report.