Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza
BULAWAYO councilors are sounding the alarm over a flood of cheap, potentially deadly food smuggled from South Africa and sold on city streets under the cover of darkness.
The councilors warn that as summer temperatures rise, the risk of food poisoning will spike due to meat and other perishables being sold without proper refrigeration.
“Illegal vending of food and meat products is now everywhere in the city,” said Ward 17 Councilor Sikhululekile Moyo. “Some of these products will need refrigeration and without it, we are going to see cases of food poisoning increasing.”
Ward 14 Councilor Dumisani Netha revealed that illegal vendors, operating mostly at night, are selling foodstuffs of questionable quality at rock-bottom prices.
“Most of this food is purchased in South Africa and smuggled into the country,” he said. “A majority of it is unhealthy, and some of it has even expired. Council must act and ban the sale of such dangerous food.”
Ward 14 Councilor Ntombizodwa Khumalo blamed the smuggling on porous borders, saying the problem was worsening.
“Some of the food is being brought into the country in huge quantities,” she said. “Residents are easily accessing it because it’s cheap, but it poses serious health risks. We need to work closely with the police to stamp out this illegal trade.”
The councilors are urging the local authority and law enforcement agencies to step up operations and protect residents from what they describe as a ticking health time bomb.
