South Africa’s recent decision to ban the import and use of the hazardous pesticide Terbufos has been welcomed by human rights bodies and farmworker advocacy groups.
The announcement was made by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on 12 June 2025, who confirmed that Cabinet had approved the ban.
“Cabinet has approved the ban of Terbufos, the import of Terbufos, in South Africa, a chemical compound classified as organophosphate commonly known used as an insecticide and pesticide,” said Ntshavheni.
The ban, described by Ntshavheni as supported by expert submissions and ministerial advice, will be enforced alongside broader consultations to identify safer alternatives that balance health and agricultural productivity.
This follows the deaths of six children in Naledi, Soweto, who consumed snacks suspected to have been contaminated with the pesticide.
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The decision has been hailed as a major victory by the Women on Farms Project (WFP), which called the ban “a victory that belongs to many”.
WFP praised the efforts of farmworkers, survivors, and the families of victims, and paid tribute to the children who died.
“We hope that this ban offers some solace to the bereaved families,” the organisation said in a statement.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) also welcomed the Cabinet’s decision, describing it as “a historic milestone in the realisation of critical socio-economic rights”.
However, the WFP cautioned that the struggle is far from over. WFP criticised long timelines for banning other toxic agrochemicals still in use and supports the SAHRC’s proposal to urgently establish a multi-sectoral task team to phase out all Highly Hazardous Pesticides.
