Food poison floods Bulawayo streets

Bulawayo councilors have raised concerns over a growing wave of cheap, potentially hazardous food being smuggled from South Africa and sold on city streets, particularly under the cover of night.

Officials warned that rising summer temperatures could exacerbate the risk of food poisoning, as meat and other perishables are being sold without proper refrigeration.

"Illegal vending of food and meat products is now everywhere in the city," said Ward 17 Councilor Sikhululekile Moyo. "Some of these products require refrigeration, and without it, we are going to see cases of food poisoning increasing."

Ward 14 Councilor Dumisani Netha revealed that the illicit vendors, mostly operating at night, are offering foodstuffs of questionable quality at rock-bottom prices. "Most of this food is purchased in South Africa and smuggled into the country. A majority of it is unhealthy, and some has even expired. Council must act and ban the sale of such dangerous food," he said.

Ward 14 Councilor Ntombizodwa Khumalo attributed the problem to porous borders and said the situation is worsening. "Some of the food is being brought into the country in huge quantities. Residents are easily accessing it because it's cheap, but it poses serious health risks. We need to work closely with the police to stamp out this illegal trade," she said.

Councilors are urging the local authority and law enforcement agencies to step up monitoring and enforcement to protect residents from what they describe as a ticking health time bomb.