Protect Our Children: Demand Accountability for Preventable Pesticide Deaths

The tragic deaths of over 20 children due to pesticide-contaminated food demand urgent action. Despite existing health and safety regulations, government failures in enforcement and outdated legislation allowed this catastrophe to occur. Highly hazardous pesticides like Terbufos—banned in many neighbouring countries—remain accessible in South Africa, endangering lives, especially in vulnerable communities.

Make your voice heard

Free SA calls for immediate accountability from government officials and stricter regulations to prevent such tragedies from repeating. Together, we must protect our children from preventable harm and hold those in power responsible for their negligence.

Thank you for joining the campaign to protect our children and hold government officials accountable for preventable pesticide-related deaths. Your voice is powerful and will help influence Parliament to take decisive action. Please complete the form below to make your submission.

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This campaign closed on 31 January 2025.

More about this campaign

Children are dying because of systemic failures. Dangerous pesticides, illegal sales, and weak enforcement of health standards are taking innocent lives. These deaths are avoidable, and we must demand change to ensure no more children suffer from preventable poisoning.

What We Demand:

  1. Accountability: Government officials responsible for failing to enforce pesticide and food safety regulations must face consequences.
  2. Immediate Ban: Prohibit the use and sale of highly hazardous pesticides like Terbufos without delay.
  3. Stronger Regulations: Update and enforce laws governing pesticides and spaza shop safety, prioritizing the protection of children.
  4. Public Awareness: Launch national campaigns to educate communities about the dangers of illegal pesticides and unsafe food practices.
  5. Support for Informal Vendors: Provide resources and training for spaza shop owners to meet safety standards without criminalizing poverty.

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