The Environmental Double Standard of Highly Hazardous Pesticides – how Agricultural Policy failed to prevent lethal Terbufos poisoning of children in South Africa
1
School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3080
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
South Africa continues to import Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) banned in Europe. Despite a 2010 policy to phase out HHPs, HHPs remain easily available and poorly controlled. Because of failing municipal waste services, residents of poor communities access HHPs in the informal sector to control infestations of rats. In October 2024, 6 Soweto children tragically died from pesticide ingestion, likely an accidental exposure linked to its use in rat bait.
METHODS:
This mixed method study included: (a) analysis of the policy context to identify gaps in the regulatory control of pesticides in South Africa; (b) a retrospective review of press reports between October 2024 and February 2025 to identify framings, actors and changes in how poisonings were reported; (c); analysis of policy responses in parliamentary and cabinet reports, shifts responding to evidence and corporate capture of public narratives.
RESULTS:
Faced with intense media attention, initial press reports reflected industry’s efforts to deflect responsibility by blaming Aldicarb, a banned carbamate. After confirmation that the pesticide responsible was Terbufos, a WHO Class Ia organophosphate legally registered in South Africa, industry changed its narrative to one of Terbufos coming illegally from Zimbabwe. However, investigation by a Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) confirmed that at least 375 deaths had already occurred from Terbufos in 2023 and 2024, of which 35% were children, that aldicarb deaths were virtually absent in forensic records and that HHPs could not be managed safely through restrictions. In June 2025, the South African Cabinet adopted the MAC recommendation to ban Terbufos against the lobbying of industry.
CONCLUSIONS:
South Africa’s system of pesticide governance, like many LMICs, has been captured by Industry. However, evidence-based research presented at the highest levels, particularly highlighting our particular obligation to protect children, can persuade policy makers to put people before profit.
South Africa continues to import Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) banned in Europe. Despite a 2010 policy to phase out HHPs, HHPs remain easily available and poorly controlled. Because of failing municipal waste services, residents of poor communities access HHPs in the informal sector to control infestations of rats. In October 2024, 6 Soweto children tragically died from pesticide ingestion, likely an accidental exposure linked to its use in rat bait.
METHODS:
This mixed method study included: (a) analysis of the policy context to identify gaps in the regulatory control of pesticides in South Africa; (b) a retrospective review of press reports between October 2024 and February 2025 to identify framings, actors and changes in how poisonings were reported; (c); analysis of policy responses in parliamentary and cabinet reports, shifts responding to evidence and corporate capture of public narratives.
RESULTS:
Faced with intense media attention, initial press reports reflected industry’s efforts to deflect responsibility by blaming Aldicarb, a banned carbamate. After confirmation that the pesticide responsible was Terbufos, a WHO Class Ia organophosphate legally registered in South Africa, industry changed its narrative to one of Terbufos coming illegally from Zimbabwe. However, investigation by a Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) confirmed that at least 375 deaths had already occurred from Terbufos in 2023 and 2024, of which 35% were children, that aldicarb deaths were virtually absent in forensic records and that HHPs could not be managed safely through restrictions. In June 2025, the South African Cabinet adopted the MAC recommendation to ban Terbufos against the lobbying of industry.
CONCLUSIONS:
South Africa’s system of pesticide governance, like many LMICs, has been captured by Industry. However, evidence-based research presented at the highest levels, particularly highlighting our particular obligation to protect children, can persuade policy makers to put people before profit.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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