Allow authorised sellers to do business - AfriForum

The Gauteng department of education must allow authorised sellers who can prove that they meet all requirements and comply with health regulations to resume the sale of food at schools, says AfriForum.

- Marizka Coetzer

This follows the Gauteng department of education's instruction to schools to suspend the sale of food within and around school premises until further notice.

According to the department, the decision was informed by the alarming increase in incidents of foodborne illnesses across schools in the province.

AfriForum expressed condolences to all who lost relatives as a result, or fell ill themselves.

However, the organisation is concerned about directives by the departments prohibiting the sale of food on school premises.

AfriForum's head of cultural affairs Alana Bailey said while the civil rights organisation agreed that steps to prevent more cases and deaths were essential, the ban was far too drastic, as it would affect pupils negatively.