27 August 2007
As a precautionary measure to ensure maximum safety of the public, the
Department of Health is recalling all condoms supplied by Zalatex and produced
by Latex Surgical Products (LSP) for the government condom distribution
programme.
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.
The Department of Health 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. These condoms can be identified by
a lot number: 4308/ZLX. The lot number is printed at the back of every condom
above the expiry date.
The department is also initiating a public awareness campaign, which should
ensure that the public is able to identify these condoms and assist the
department in getting them back. Members of the public in possession of the
condoms marked 4308/ZLX are requested to return them to the nearest public
health facilities.
The Department of Health will no longer be procuring condoms from the
company and will be working together with National Treasury in an effort to
terminate the contract with the company. National Treasury is responsible for
administration of the contract (i.e. general contract administration such as
breach of contract, amendment, suspension and cancellation).
Zalatex is suspected to have bribed an official of the South African Bureau
of Standard (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. Zalatex received a 9% stake of the total
amount of 850 million condoms over two years ending February 2008.
While at least 7 million condoms are a subject of the case of possible
collusion between the company and the official of the SABS, the Department of
Health is recalling all 20 million condoms that have been supplied by Zalatex
since it was awarded the contract.
For more information contact:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Charity Bhengu
Cell: 083 679 7424
Issued by: Department of Health
27 August 2007
