The SAVE South Africa Civic Movement has called for an immediate ban on condom sales at spaza shops, urging Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi to intervene following reports of counterfeit condoms being sold in Sunnyside, Tshwane. The movement argues that the sale of potentially unsafe condoms poses a significant threat to public health.
“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,” he said.
Mashilompane highlighted the dangers posed by these unregulated products, stating: “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 further criticised the distribution network used by counterfeit condom suppliers, noting that their use of spaza shops circumvents health regulations and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) approval process. This, he argued, exposes individuals to the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies. Mashilompane’s statement concluded with a call for swift action from the Department of Health and a recommendation for the public to use only government-supplied condoms to mitigate the risks associated with counterfeit products.
“It's therefore our call that the Department of Health to act with speed in preventing further health risk exposure. While spaza shops are prohibited from selling condoms, the general public is encouraged to use government condoms in order to prevent the danger that comes with these counterfeit condoms,” he said.
The Department of Health, through Deputy Director of HIV Prevention Strategies Livhuwani Lifhiga, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. Lifhiga confirmed the department’s concern about the potential health risks associated with the sale of non-SABS approved condoms in public spaces.
“As the department, we'll strengthen working with the private sector that sells these condoms so that we can try to mitigate challenges that have been currently reported. This is new to us,” she said.
She reiterated that the sale of non-SABS approved condoms is illegal and advised the public to use government-supplied condoms, which meet safety standards, to avoid any potential health risks.
The SAVE South Africa Civic Movement's call for an immediate suspension of condom sales at spaza shops underscores the urgency of addressing the issue of counterfeit condoms. The potential consequences of using these substandard products, including increased risk of STIs and unwanted pregnancies, are significant.
The Department of Health's response indicates a recognition of the problem and a commitment to addressing it. However, the movement's plea for immediate action highlights the immediate danger posed by the continued sale of potentially unsafe condoms in unregulated environments.
The situation emphasises the importance of public awareness campaigns to educate individuals about the risks of using non-SABS approved condoms and to encourage the use of government-supplied condoms to ensure sexual health and safety. The debate now centres on the balance between access to contraception and the need to protect the public from potentially harmful products.
