BuaNews (Tshwane)
Thapelo Sakoana
28 August 2007
Pretoria — The Department of Health has urged the public to identify Choice condoms with batch number 4208/ZLX and return them to their nearest health facilities.
The department is recalling all 20 million condoms supplied by Zalatex for the government's free condom distribution programme.
Produced by Latex Surgical Products, these condoms can be identified by a batch number: 4308/ZLX, which is printed on the back of every condom just above the expiry date.
Departmental spokesperson Sibani Mngadi told BuaNews Tuesday, that they wanted people to be aware of the batch number to ensure that all the condoms are returned.
"The department of health has already quarantined close to 3.6 million condoms produced by the company and these condoms are currently stored at various warehouses in the country," he said.
However, he urged people not to panic about this issue.
"We distribute 400 million condoms every year and the condoms in question are about seven million. We are, however, recalling all 20 million condoms that have been supplied by Zalatex since it was awarded the contract," said Mr Mngadi.
Mr Mngadi emphasised that not all the condoms were defective.
In this regard, he called on South Africans to continue using government condoms except for those with batch number: 4308/ZLX.
"The condoms that have been produced by the other suppliers are of good quality. We have requested the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) to check these condoms and they have assured us of the quality," he said.
Condoms remained the effective prevention for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV and Aids, he explained.
Mr Mngadi described the recalling of these condoms as a precautionary measure to ensure the maximum safety of the public.
"The department urges the members of the public and all partners involved in the condom distribution programme to return the condoms produced by the company to their nearest condom outlet or public health facilities," he said.
The Department of Health will work with the National Treasury to terminate the contract with Zalatex.
The National Treasury is responsible for administration of the contract, which includes general contract administration such as breach of contract, amendment, suspension and cancellation.
Zalatex is suspected to have bribed an official of the SABS to approve condoms that were not conforming to the quality standards.
SABS is responsible for ensuring quality and safety of condoms distributed in the country.
Zalatex is one of the seven companies, which had been awarded the tender to produce male condoms for government.
The company received a nine percent stake of the total amount of 850 million condoms over two years ending February 2008.
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