By Odwa Mkentane
Toxicologist Dr Gerhard Verdoorn has warned that the country is facing a serious problem with the illegal importation and distribution of highly hazardous pesticides.
Verdoorn says some undocumented migrants bring banned pesticides across the northern and eastern borders to trade for local currency. He also notes that some communities mistakenly believe highly toxic pesticides such as aldicarb and terbufos are effective rodenticides, despite the severe health risks they pose.
“We also find that there’s an enormous quantity of pesticides of Chinese origin, and even some from India and Bangladesh, coming into the country through our formal borders, including our harbours, such as the Port of Durban, Coega, and the Port of Gqeberha, where I often work with the Department of Agriculture and the port health authorities.”
While he praises customs officers for confiscating tonnes of illegally imported chemicals, Verdoorn emphasises that significant quantities still reach the informal market.
“Banned and unregistered pesticides are widely available from street vendors in cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Gqeberha, and Kariega,” he said.
Photo: Pixabay
