Food Safety in Crisis: Unemployed Inspectors Warn of Preventable Tragedies

In a country where food poisoning has claimed the lives of children and left hundreds hospitalized, a shocking truth lies behind the headlines: South Africa has thousands of trained environmental health inspectors who are sitting at home unemployed and unheard, while the government stalls on promises of hiring them.

The tragedy? Their skills could have prevented many of these outbreaks.

A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight

In 2023, South Africa declared a national disaster following a series of foodborne illness outbreaks, including one that claimed the lives of 22 children. The Department of Health responded with urgency on paper announcing R205 million had been allocated to hire 520 health inspectors. The move was meant to strengthen oversight of food vendors, particularly in underserved communities where informal spaza shops are often unregulated.

Yet a year later, those jobs still haven’t materialized. And the numbers are damning: of 6,300 qualified environmental health inspectors across the country, only 1,651 are employed, leaving over 4,000 professionals without work.

“We Were Trained to Protect the Public”

Zandi Dlamini, a spokesperson for a growing movement of unemployed graduates, is tired of the silence. “It’s been months since we submitted our memorandum to the Department of Health,” she said, referencing a peaceful march held earlier this year. “The government’s lack of action is not only unconstitutional it’s dangerous.”

One unemployed graduate, who completed her environmental health degree at Mangosuthu University of Technology, has been waiting years for a job. “We are the first line of defence,” she said. “Yet we’re watching people get sick and die, knowing we could help. It’s heartbreaking.”

Another graduate, burdened with debt and unable to afford his Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) accreditation, is technically not even allowed to work in his field anymore. “Some people owe the council over R15,000. Without paying, we’re suspended—even though the country desperately needs us.”

A Broken System Leaves Consumers at Risk

The result of this inaction is visible on the ground. From township tuckshops to school feeding schemes, poor food storage, expired goods, and unregulated operations are going unchecked. And ordinary South Africans—especially children are paying the price.

Dlamini says the government’s failure to hire more inspectors violates not only national health laws, but also Section 24 of the Constitution, which guarantees everyone the right to an environment not harmful to their health.

“Consumers are being left vulnerable. This isn’t just about jobs, it’s about protecting lives,” she said.

Who’s Accountable?

The Department of Health has remained quiet, with spokesperson Foster Mohale declining to respond to media queries. Meanwhile, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has confirmed the employment gap and called for urgent intervention.

The World Health Organisation’s food safety standards call for rigorous, proactive monitoring to prevent outbreaks. South Africa, by comparison, seems stuck in a reactive cycle—cleaning up the mess after tragedy strikes.

Social Media Is Stirring

On social media, South Africans are voicing growing frustration, with hashtags like #FoodSafetyNow and #HireHealthInspectors trending in health advocacy circles. Posts call out the irony of “qualified people begging for work while children die from unsafe food.”

Public anger is also directed at the lack of coordination between national and municipal governments, which often pass the buck on employment responsibilities.

The Bigger Picture: A Country on the Edge

This issue touches on deeper problems within South Africa’s public service ecosystem: underfunding, slow hiring processes, and neglect of crucial frontline workers. The same gaps that left thousands without clean water during cholera outbreaks are now failing our food safety system.

And unlike other public health crises, this one doesn’t come with dramatic headlines or televised press briefings—just grieving families and frustrated professionals.

Time to Act, Not Talk

The solution isn’t complicated. The funding was announced. The graduates are qualified. The need is urgent.

So why the delay?

Until government officials follow through on their promises, South Africans will remain at risk. And the question will linger: how many more lives must be lost before public health is truly prioritized?

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com