South Africa Terbufos Ban: Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has formally issued a notice of intent to ban the use, sale, and purchase of the very hazardous agricultural pesticide Terbufos in an effort to safeguard human health and safety. On December 31, 2025, the prohibition is scheduled to go into full effect on December 31, 2025.
The tragic misuse of Terbufos, a drug officially registered for industrial agriculture but illegally distributed as a domestic pesticide, which was recently connected by scientific findings to a string of fatal poisonings in Naledi, Soweto, prompted the government to step in.
Why Terbufos is Dangerous
The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated Terbufos, an organophosphate pesticide, as Class 1a (Extremely Hazardous). It inhibits cholinesterase, an enzyme necessary for the nervous system to function, by acting as a strong neurotoxin.
| Feature | Details |
| Health Risks | Respiratory failure, seizures, and neurodevelopmental harm in children. |
| Long-term Impact | Potential links to lung cancer, leukemia, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. |
| Global Status | Already banned in the European Union and most SADC countries (e.g., Namibia, Zambia). |
Impact on Agriculture and Economy – South Africa Terbufos Ban
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD) has previously expressed concern that an abrupt prohibition may impact food security, since Terbufos is used to control soil worms in high-value crops. However, following criticism from the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and civil society, the government has placed human life before industrial profit, with a phase-out planned for the end of 2025.
