Calls for Suspension of Condom Sales at Spaza Shops
There are claims that counterfeit condoms are sold at some spaza shops in Sunnyside, Tshwane.
Calls for Suspension of Condom Sales at Spaza Shops
The SAVE South Africa Civic movement has urged the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, to call for the immediate suspension of condom sales by spaza shops to protect lives from being exposed to health risks.
This follows claims that counterfeit condoms are sold at some spaza shops in Sunnyside, Tshwane.
Donors' Withdrawal: Zim Needs $10 million for Condoms
Movement spokesman, Tebogo Mashilompane, said the department received a tip-off that some spaza shops sell counterfeit condoms.
“While we welcome commitment to investigate the matter by the department, it's of importance that while investigations are underway, the sale of condoms by spaza shops should be suspended to protect innocent users.
“Without doubt, there's a great danger facing users of these counterfeit condoms due to a lack of standard quality check by health regulators,” he said.
Calls for Suspension of Condom Sales at Spaza Shops
Mashilompane said it's worrying that suppliers of counterfeit condoms circumvent health regulations and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) by distributing condoms via spaza shops, which exposes innocent people to sexual infections and unwanted pregnancies.
Offering insights on counterfeit condoms being sold at spaza shops, Livhuwani Lifhiga, deputy director of HIV prevention strategies at the Health Department, said the department is concerned about the issue as having these condoms in a public space endangers the health of individuals because they are not SABS approved.
Lifhiga said it's illegal to sell condoms that are not SABS-approved. She advised the public to opt for government-supplied condoms if are uncertain about a product as they are SABS-approved for safety.
